Auburn, ME – After missing two springs and a fall season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CM softball earned a trip to the World Series for the first time in program history. Head coach Bruce Robertson knew this team was special early on, "I would say I knew this team was special back in the fall. We headed in a direction we had never been before." The work the team put into the fall season laid the ground work for earning the trip to Nationals this spring.
Ending the regular season at 22-10-1, the Mustangs were able to compete with Division III opponents as well as teams in the NJCAA. Leading the way offensively was Emily Wormwood who is hitting .462 with four homeruns and 39 RBIs. Olivia Gallan leads the nation in stolen bases with 47 on the year. In the circle, Avery Herrick has remained the steady force on the mound with a 10-3 record and a 2.47 earned run average. In her 105 innings pitched, she has struck out 127! Collectively, the team is batting .360 with 11 homeruns and 284 runs scored across their 33 games.
Without an automatic bid for the Yankee Conference due to the lack of teams, the Mustangs needed an At-Large bid from the USCAA. Coaches and players attended a "Watch Party" on campus to hear if they would be receiving a bid to the World Series. Robertson spoke that hearing the team was going to be ranked #5 in the nation was shocking. After grinding out wins all season with tough opponents, the Mustangs never went above being ranked 7th. Since hearing the exciting news, the practices for the Mustangs have stayed consistent. They continue to work on their fielding progressions and go over situational plays that may occur in games as well as hitting as much as they can before they leave. When they arrive in Pennsylvania will be able to practice on Sunday for an hour before opening ceremonies which include a home run derby for softball and baseball followed by a firework show.
If you ask any member of the CM softball team if they are nervous for the World Series starting Monday, they would all say a collective, "Yes!" These players are nervous and excited for the opportunity, but are focused at the task ahead. Their goal from the beginning was to make it to Nationals and now with that goal met, they look to compete with the best teams in the country. Avery Herrick has already competed at Nationals this year with the women's basketball team. "I'm excited to share this experience with my team and especially my sister. I've already been there with basketball, but this is extra special" added Herrick. Herrick will face a familiar foe in PSU Schyulkill as the women's basketball team beat them in the National Championship game.
Despite the nerves and maybe lack of sleep from the excitement, this team is ready to go! No matter what they have already made everyone proud. If you want to watch the Mustangs take on the world, go to the USCAA Sports Network. CM takes on #4 PSU Schyulkill on Monday at 2pm.
