When Jessica Podskalny heard that UBC Okanagan was getting a collegiate softball team, she applied to the university almost right away.
She started playing the sport at the age of three, advanced through the tough leagues in White Rock, B.C., and has played the last two years with Douglas College, where she excelled as a starting pitcher in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).
Staying close to home while still playing the sport she loved was important to her.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 really exciting and really cool to start the foundation of this new program,香蕉视频直播� said Podskalny.
香蕉视频直播淚 wanted to continue my softball career. At first I didn香蕉视频直播檛 know where, but then this opportunity came up and it香蕉视频直播檚 exciting. It香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a big team and I think it will be really fun.香蕉视频直播�
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It will be the first year that UBC Okanagan has entered a women香蕉视频直播檚 softball team into the Western Collegiate Softball Association (WCSA). Players from the Okanagan and across the country will join the Heat squad when the season starts at the end of August. The program was culminated by the dedication of Okanagan softball enthusiasts and Heat head coach, Joni Frei.
Coach Frei has been involved in the game for years and has a long professional resume including head coach of Team BC at the North American Indigenous Games and Softball BC director of coaching.
She香蕉视频直播檚 a coach that Podskalny has hoped that she would play for.
香蕉视频直播淪tarting this program with (coach Frei) will be super cool,香蕉视频直播� said Podskalny.
香蕉视频直播淗er experience and reputation as a coach will have a high impact on our team. The team will have a lot of trust in her knowing that she香蕉视频直播檚 had a lot of success.香蕉视频直播�
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During her two seasons with the Douglas College Royals, Podskalny was one of the main leaders in wins and strike-outs in the NWAC and was named the north region pitcher of the year last season. Her experience and leadership will be an essential part of the building blocks for the Heat香蕉视频直播檚 new program.
香蕉视频直播淲e香蕉视频直播檙e expecting good things form her,香蕉视频直播� said the Heat香蕉视频直播檚 Darren Bennett.
香蕉视频直播淪he has shown she has what it takes to be a dominant pitcher at the university level and we are very excited to have her on our roster for opening day.香蕉视频直播�
Podskalny said that she hopes to pick up the success where she left it last season and hopes to help meld this team into a close-knit group of teammates.
香蕉视频直播淭he hardest thing for us this season will be getting to know each other, once we get those close connections it香蕉视频直播檒l be easier to connect and stick together during the tough moments of the game,香蕉视频直播� Podskalny said.
The WCSA season features six weeks of multi-game weekends. The Heat will be tested in their first action of the season on Aug. 30, when they host last year香蕉视频直播檚 league champions, the Calgary Dinos.
Away from home and first year challenges aside, Podskalny is ready to retake the mound with Heat colours.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 happy to be playing softball in the Okanagan.香蕉视频直播�
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