The positive group chemistry that the freshmen have brought to the team has also helped keep them from being fazed by the large leap from high school to college softball.
“We all wanted something more intense than high school, so we were ready for this [next step],” Kidder says.
Undoubtedly ready for the advanced competition, the group has contributed almost immediately—and not just to the improvement of team chemistry.
The freshmen may be funny, good-natured and friendly, but don’t be fooled by their effervescent personalities. When they step between the foul lines, these women mean business.
“This class is really competitive,” Allard says. “They work really hard, and I’ve seen all of them make huge strides.”
Fritsche and Voaklander have been particularly impressive early on, stepping up to fill vacancies at third base and the back of the pitching rotation, respectively, that were left by injury and graduation.
Fritsche, whose powerful bat has been immediately inserted into the third spot in the batting order, got off to a hot start, leading the Crimson in hitting at .455 through Harvard’s first four games.
Voaklander got her first start of the year on the mound on March 14th, and picked up her first victory in an 11-2 decision against Liberty, giving up two runs over five innings.
The other freshmen are primed to make contributions off of the bench. This year’s team is unusually deep, partly due to the large number of first-years. At most positions on the diamond, Harvard has more than one candidate worthy of starting, often leaving the newcomers as backups.
“I think it’s hard this year to come in as a freshman and start,” Allard says. “But it’s not hard to come in and have an impact.”
Even those not getting to start yet are finding ways to contribute positively to team chemistry and morale.
“The freshmen try really hard,” senior shortstop Rachel Goldberg says. “They definitely push everyone else to do better.”
Whether it’s from the field or the bench, the freshmen have welcomed the opportunity to provide energy and exemplify hard work this spring.
The freshmen will need to continue to provide that energy and emotion in the service of team chemistry to help maintain the momentum required in this year’s demanding Ivy League competition. But will the long, grueling season catch up to the youngsters towards the end of April, when the team will need their energy the most?
The players could only laugh at that thought.
“Talk to us at the end of the year,” Fritsche says, speaking for her teammates.
There’s that “us” word again, the key to the chemistry of this inseparable group, whose story is just beginning.