D3 Lives Matter: Practices, Scrimmages, and Growth

This past week felt like a turning point in our preseason. The excitement of finally competing mixed with the reality of early mornings, long practices, and balancing classes made everything feel very real. After weeks of preparation, we were no longer just training; we were putting our work to the test in our first scrimmage. It was a week that required adjustment, resilience, and a reminder of what being a Division III athlete truly demands.

Last week marked our first full week back with complete team practices. We practiced on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Although practices are scheduled for two hours, they consistently extend closer to three. I have had to adjust my schedule accordingly, learning to plan for practices to run long instead of assuming they will end on time.

Tuesday included our first 6:00 a.m. practice of the semester. Last semester, we had 6:00 a.m. lifts four days a week, so I assumed practice would feel similar. However, once we moved into the second hour, I could definitely feel the fatigue setting in. Several teammates and I also had 8 a.m. classes, so we left practice about 15 minutes early. Fortunately, mine was online, which allowed me time to change and mentally reset before class. That practice reminded me that early practices during the season demand a different kind of preparation than offseason lifts.

Throughout the week, our main focus was defense, with only one hitting-focused practice on Friday. Our coach wants our defensive execution to be consistent before we intensify our offensive workload next week. With spring break approaching in two weeks, the structure of practice is clearly becoming more intentional.

One Sunday, we had our first scrimmage of the semester against Defiance. We arrived at the gym at 9:30 a.m. for warm-ups, stretched as a team, then moved to the fieldhouse to prepare for hitting before setting up our temporary field on the soccer field.

Our first game started at 11:30 a.m., and I played the final three innings, For the first four innings, I supported my teammates from the dugout, especially our pitcher, Brooklyn, who threw four perfect innings, not allowing a hit or a walk. Watching that kind of performance set a strong tone for the day. When the fifth inning began, I put my catcher's gear on and entered the game. My first inning behind the plate was not my sharpest. I think part of that came from not having caught that pitcher since early fall. Even so, we allowed only one hit and secured a 13-0 win. 

We then learned we would be playing a second game as part of a doubleheader, which none of us expected. I sat out the second game since we rotate among four catchers, and I already played my innings. Although the second game lacked some clean execution as the first, we still finished with a win. Nearly ten hours after arriving that morning, our scrimmage day ended. My parents came to watch, so I went to dinner with them before completing my homework. It was a long but rewarding day.

Monday's outdoor practice reinforced accountability, beginning with conditioning in response to defensive mistakes. We spend most of the time on defensive drills and bullpen work, rotating pitchers and catchers to strengthen overall chemistry. We also completed '21 outs, which tested our focus and endurance - especially in the cold weather. Tuesday included a short in-season lift followed by another defensive-focused practice. I also used the time between classes to get extra swings in while managing my arm injury.

Today (Wednesday) is an off day. Followed by a hitting-focused practice on Thursday and another scrimmage on Friday. We also have our commitment overnight this weekend, adding another layer of balance. This week reminded me that Division III athletics require more than physical ability. They demand discipline, adaptability, and mental toughness. As preseason continues, I am learning that preparation is consistency and how we respond to challenges.