These days around the Metro State softball team, smiles are in as large a supply as home runs.
And the Roadrunners hit home runs by the bushel.
Power has been Metro State’s claim to fame while cruising to the best season in school history — a 51-4 record — and a berth in the NCAA Division II women’s College World Series. The Roadrunners hope that power continues to surge in St. Joseph, Mo., tonight when they play their opening game in the double-elimination tournament against Angelo State (48-13) of San Angelo, Texas.
Metro State set a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record with 79 home runs this season in 39 league games. Fueling the Roadrunners’ power is senior third baseman Tara Mickelson, whose 23 homers lead Division II. Close behind are outfielder Jennessa Tesone (18 homers) and second baseman Sarah Rusch (17).
“They really give us a big lift, but they are also very unselfish,” Metro State coach Jen Fisher said. “I don’t think they feel like they have to carry the whole weight of the team on their shoulders.”
Mickelson is hitting .373 and has 74 RBIs. She said the key to her success has been patience.
“Just seeing the ball, really relaxing when I’m at bat, just clearing my mind and seeing the pitch instead of trying to guess where it is,” Mickelson said. “That’s how I’ve been successful.”
Now the Roadrunners’ games figure to get exponentially tougher. Mickelson, an all-RMAC selection, and her teammates will see every team’s ace from here on out. It puts a premium on continuing a patient approach at the plate.
“I think we’ll just get right back in the swing of things,” Mickelson said. “If one of us starts hitting, then we all start hitting. If one of us can see the pitcher early, then we’ll have no problem.”
“We have a lot of walks,” Tesone said. “It really gets in the pitchers’ heads I think, when they can’t find the strike zone and we’re laying off their bad pitches.”
Metro State is averaging 8.0 runs per game, proof that its hitters get after opposing pitchers. But just as comforting to Fisher, as her team stands to play tightly contested games, is the Roadrunners’ 10-1 record in games decided by one run.
“It’s really satisfying because it really speaks to our mental toughness,” Fisher said. “We’ve won about five games in the bottom of the seventh. I think being tested that way is really important for us, and knowing that we can come through. And it’s a different hero every time, which is exciting. Our kids really believe in each other. When the game’s on the line, they are happy to be in the box, they are glad to have the bat in their hands.”
Fisher wants her powerful team to retain that unflappable nature, even in the pressure cooker that is the College World Series. Rusch suspects the team will keep its cool.
“Everyone’s pumped and ready to go,” Rusch said. “We want to take this and end our season on a really great note.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
