The coaches and the softball teams have been working hard and are very excited for Rider’s final season, which begins Feb. 13 against Henrietta.

The Rider Chronicle sat down with head softball coach Kristen Borton to talk about the final softball ball season and team for Rider.

Q: How hard have the girls been practicing for this season?

A: We’ve been practicing since last summer and they have been in and out of the weight room, and on the field getting work done to prepare for the last season.

Q: Is it sad that this is Rider’s last softball season?

A: Yes it is sad. I think the players are going to have a hard time going to a new school and It’ll be different.

Q: Do you think the team is ready for the final season?

A: Yes I do. I think we prepared mentally and physically. I think we know what we need to do to reach the goals that we have set and hopefully do well this season.

Q: Who are some key players this season?

A: A couple returning varsity players. I have Leah Sanchez which she pitched on varsity as a freshman last year. I have Olivia Vanderburg which she’s also a returner, she caught for us last year and played shortstop as a freshman. I have Ella Dawson which is also a returner, she’ll play third and first this year. Sophia Curry, she’s one of our seniors. Avienda Garza she’s also one of our seniors that they both play a key role since they are the only two seniors, but I have a lot of juniors coming up that’ll help us out quite a bit in field so I’m pretty excited.

Q: What are the team’s strengths?

A: I think we get along really well. I think we hold the same values amongst each other and as a team. I think we build each other up quite a bit and stay positive. I think overall, skill wise, we’ve improved a lot in the past years.

Q: How have you prepared for the season?

A: They don’t have any days off, we’re always in the weight room, on the field practicing, we’ve done quite a few nonprofit kind of volunteer activities together. We’ve done a lot of team bonding activities in the fall and the summer. It’s helped us out quite a bit.