Carroll Softball Embracing High Expectations

Carroll College softball begins 2019 receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 poll for the first time ever. Fighting Saints head coach Aaron Jackson says the fifth-year program is looking to take yet another step forward this season. “Everything that we’ve always wanted is right there in our grasp finally and so to see that reality is fun. We’re right where we think we need to be,” said Aaron Jackson. The intact pitching staff features a pair of all-conference selections in senior Tess Eaton and junior Ali Williams who says Carroll relies on a strong culture instead of electing team captains. “We’re all just kind of supposed to lead by example and everything and just try to all step up when our team needs us to so I do think that philosophy that our coach tries to set definitely helps with that. You know that your teammates are there to back you up and that somebody is going to step up in the game,” said Ali Williams. All-conference infielder Anna ApRoberts says the Saints value relationships over outcomes but still set high expectations for each other. “The work that we’ve done in the offseason and everything that we do leading up to games prepares us really well for that. Pressure is more self-induced in how we see it in our program and once we put the work in with one another and just really encourage one another the results will come on the field,” said Anna ApRoberts. Carroll is looking forward to escaping sub-zero Montana as they travel to Lake Elsinore, CA for the NAIA So Cal Classic. “I think our team has definitely proven time and time again that we can fight through adversity with weather and everything like that,” said Ali Williams. “We’ll be out there in our t-shirts and enjoying the sun and it’ll just be nice to get out of the bitter cold and finally get on some dirt,” said Aaron Jackson. The Saints are set to play a total of seven games during the three-day event.