DENVER – If there was a bunch of snow on the ground and it was bitterly cold, then that means it's time to start the softball season.
 
The MSU Denver softball team – like its Assembly Athletic Complex mates from the Roadrunners' baseball team – spent a fair amount of time this week clearing the field and getting ready for the season opener. Sunny skies and warm-ish temperatures are forecast for Saturday's noon doubleheader with Fort Hays State (Kan.), and it may be a bit cooler for Sunday's 11 a.m. doubleheader against Cal Poly Humboldt.
 
"For the ones who have been around, it's not totally new to them," Van Wetzinga said. "It throws off your schedule. We've talked with girls all year about being able to pivot, to stay flexible and not get too rigid with their schedule because things change."
 
The Roadrunners have had to pivot at the end of each of the past two seasons, as COVID-19 has short-circuited promising situations. In 2020, the entire country shut down just as MSU Denver had surged to the top of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Last year, with the Roadrunners red-hot heading into the RMAC Tournament, COVID robbed them of some of their top players.
 
"For the ones who have been here for three or four years, the last two years really motivate them," Van Wetzinga said. "We had good things going in 2020 when everyone was shut down, and it affected everyone last year, too, but the timing for us was exceptionally bad. We all felt lik e we were on the cusp of doing something bigger."
 
It remains to be seen if outfielder Shelby Robb is somehow able to do something bigger than what she did last year as a true freshman. All she did then was set the school record with an astounding .535 batting average while earning All-America first team (D2CCA) and second team (NFCA) honors.
 
"All I know is that Shelby Robb shows up, she's focused and she practices hard," Van Wetzinga said. "She does the daily stuff. Whether she hits .500, .600, .400 … she'll be successful. I'm not worried about her hitting a certain number, I just know she'll be successful because of the way she works day in and day out. She comes with a purpose every day. She's very talented and athletic, but it's not like she takes a magic pill. She just comes in every day and goes to work."
 
Robb, also an RMAC Gold Glove winner, moves from left to center field this season. She'll anchor an everyday lineup that also includes first baseman Rebecca Gonzales – the 2019 RMAC Freshman of the Year who continues to make moves up the program's all-time lists in multiple statistical categories.
 
Beyond those two, Van Wetzinga has multiple options.
 
"This is the deepest we've ever been," Van Wetzinga said. "In a good way, they're making it difficult for us. That's why you'll see lots of combinations and lineups early in the season. We have options and everyone is working hard."
 
Infielder Mackenzie Jamison batted .393 and had 35 RBIs in 33 games last season. Speedy outfielder Kami Grammerstorf came on late with finish at .397 with 13 stolen bases. Infielders Ari Valdez (.304, RMAC Gold Glove) and Haley Doughty (.335, six homers in 78 at-bats) are experienced and talented, and outfielder Emily Shreves appears ready to break through.
 
Newcomers include infielders Miah Hartvigsen (a transfer from Minnesota State-Moorhead) and Hannah DiFabio, outfielders Katie Maney and Alexia Boring, and freshman catchers Jaiden Geist and Trish Leins.
 
"We have good problems," Van Wetzinga said. "We have talented people. It's a matter of figuring out who goes where. Some of the struggle is that they're young and they have room to grow, but you also see that the talent is there. So now we have to figure out who is going to figure it out."
 
In the circle, pitcher Destinee Lopez was an All-RMAC first team selection last season after going 12-4 with a 2.39 ERA.
 
"She's been there, done that, and has been very consistent," Van Wetzinga said. "Last year was a slow build, and she hit her stride around midseason and had a great year. Hopefully she can pick up where she left off. She's been a nice quiet leader for us."
 
Along with veteran Julia Heitz, the Roadrunners also can call upon junior college transfer Sarah Norton and freshman Audrey Burt.
 
Meanwhile, Van Wetzinga expects the pitching staff will see two good offensive teams this weekend.
 
"Fort Hays will be tough," Van Wetzinga said. "They'll have some good hitters, and I think they're young, too. We'll be each other's first games, so I'm sure there will be some ups and downs, so it's a matter of which team can limit their mistakes. Humboldt has always had some big hitters. We had high-scoring games when we played them two years ago, so hopefully our pitchers and defense can step up."