Progressing each day is the key for first year head coach Darrell Bolin and first year assistant coach Clair Lorenz, but that doesn't necessarily mean on the field.
Bolin doesn't want the girls to be measured on how they perform on the field, but rather how they grow as individuals and as a team.
"As far as I'm concerned, I want to see progressive improvement," Bolin said after practice last Wednesday. "Anytime you're in competitive events, you're going to have some ups and downs. It's how you bounce back that matters. You have that mistake, shake it off and move on, because it's already done."
Coming off a disappointing season last year, the Lady Pintos worked on fundamentals during their summer camp, and its something Bolin thinks is coming along well during preseason practice.
"Obviously it's something that you do every day," Bolin said. "We're seeing a lot more consistency on throwing, fielding, you know, it's one of those things we're going to continue to repeat."
Another objective Bolin wanted to work on was defensive positioning and pitching. California will use four pitchers the majority of the time, with freshman Kaitlyn Turner leading the group. Sophomores Braleigh Johnson and Paige Johnson and freshman Destiny Cook are also in the mix.
"(Turner) has a lot of control and she has a lot of different pitches," Bolin said. "She has some speed, she throws a good change-up. Then we have other girls that are still working, progressing and we can bring them in for an inning or two of relief."
Hitting is an area California expects to see success this season. Bolin admitted they haven't practiced it much the first few practices, but he sites what he's saw in summer ball and the few stationary hitting workouts his team has had as to why he believes that.
"We're going to generate some activity, we're going to put some pressure on their defense," he said.
The Lady Pintos are a young team with four seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and five freshman making up the roster. While 65 percent of the team are underclassmen, The biggest strength is their leadership with the six upperclassmen, and how the underclassmen go about their business. Bolin raved about his team's energy and the positive comments he hears throughout practice.
The weakness, he says, has a lot to do with the team's past.
"It's odd to say, but they just don't know how to get a win," Bolin said. "That's something that we're working on, the positive side of the game and reinforcing it. "You know what girls, you're going to make mistakes, just forget about it and move on.'"
The Lady Pintos will host a jamboree Saturday at 10 a.m., playing two four inning games. Then, California will open its season at the Marshall Tournament Saturday, Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.