Submitted Photo Pictured, in front, from left, are: Jaida Perry, Emily Horth, Samantha Heppel, Kara Leeper and Abigail Minnekine. In back are: assistant coach Shelby Overturf, Abbi Warner, Brynn Pagett, Mackenzie Watson, Gracie Wood, Renee Szymanski and head coach Tabatha Stenstrom.

It has been a long journey for the Jamestown Community College softball team, but in 2021, they will be back out on the field.

It was announced in the spring of 2019 that the school would bring back the softball program after closing the doors following the 2010 season. Things were on the rise for head coach Tabatha Stenstrom and the rest of the squad in 2020 as they prepared for a road trip to Ohio last spring. The day before departure, the NJCAA announced the cancellation of sports effective immediately.

“To say it was heartbreaking is putting it lightly,” said Stenstrom. “Our girls were excited to get on the field, get to compete and be a part of rejuvenating this program.”

In 2021, softball will be played and the excitement on the team is contagious.

“We are ecstatic to finally get out and take the field,” Stenstrom said. “Many girls were worried that the season may get canceled. The worry went away after our team said that no one will take this season away from us. We are physically and mentally prepared to get the ball rolling.”

The Jayhawks return two players from the team a year ago in catcher/outfielder Mackenzie Watson (Jamestown) and infielder Renee Szymanski (Franklinville/Franklinville Junior-Senior High School). Having players that are a year in the system has been helpful to Stenstrom when relaying what she expects everyone to do.

“Kenzie and Renee have set the tone for the rest of our team,” Stenstrom said. “They have helped the girls not just on the field, but off the field as well, whether it’s with paperwork and time management when being a student-athlete.”

The Jayhawks also have players on the roster who were teammates in high school which will help as they have that familiarity. The duos of outfielder Abigail Minnekine (Little Valley/Cattaraugus-Little Valley) and third baseman Emily Horth (Little Valley/Cattaraugus-Little Valley) along with the duo of infielder/pitcher Brynn Pagett (Randolph/Randolph) and first baseman Kara Leeper (Randolph/Randolph) will look to blend their chemistry with the rest of the squad.

“This team is built full of players that lives and breathe the game,” Stenstrom said. “Everyone plays as a unit. That is hard to come by with a group of athletes, but I have been very fortunate to say that I have that unit.

The Jayhawks will also look for big contributions from catcher Abbi Warner (Westfield/Westfield), pitcher Samatha Heppel (Angola/Lake Shore), outfielder Gracie Wood (Warren, Pennsylvania/Warren Area), and utility player Jaida Perry (Franklinville/Ten Broeck Academy) as they will look to make a postseason run.

When asked about the grueling schedule, especially on the weekends, Stenstrom said that it is nothing new for this team as they have all played on travel teams where their weekends would be full of doubleheaders.

“We have players that are used to the weekend schedule,” Stenstrom said. “This is the norm for us. There will be very little adjustment from the team.”

All home games will be played at the Lakewood Firemen’s Grounds.

Schedule

March 27th at Genesee Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

March 28th at Gannon University at 12 & 2 p.m.

April 10th at Corning Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

April 11th vs. Corning Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

April 17th vs. Monroe Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

April 18th at Monroe Community College at 12 & 2 p.m.

April 20th at Finger Lakes Community College at 3 & 5 p.m.

April 22nd vs. Finger Lakes Community College at 3 & 5 p.m.

April 24th vs. Erie Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

April 25th at Erie Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

May 1st vs. Niagara Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.

May 2nd at Niagara Community College at 1 & 3 p.m.