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Sometimes a single loss can trigger and turn around a season. Although early in the season, the Pacific softball program had just experienced its first few hurdles starting withrivals Fresno State who is ranked 25th in the nationby ESPN/USA today. With no time to regroup aftertough losses against Fresno State, the Tigers foundthemselves in the thick of the very tough Wildcat Invitational. In order to be the best you have to beat the best and the Pacific softball program does not shy away from anyone, scheduling one of the most difficult non-league schedules in the nation. Facing powerhouse Arizona on their home field, on the last day of the tournament, tired and losing three of four earlier in the tournament, the Tigers could have just gone through the motions. Yet this yearfs Tigers found out a little bit about themselves and their character that last day in Arizona thanks in part to their seniors.
“I don’t think we truly knew how great we were until the last day of the Wildcat tournament when we played U of A, who is the number one team in the nation right now. We played them tough and held them to a 1-0 ball game with opportunities to win. This was a big eye opener for us,” said senior third baseman Crystal Presson, whose guidance and brilliant glove work has solidified the hot corner, making it her domain. “We went into Palm Springs afraid of no one. We did a good job of focusing on each game and not overlooking anyone to get the big games, which we may have done a little the weekend prior.” With all the big names and ranked teams at the Palm Springs Classic it was easy for Pacific to get lost in all the hype, but this is a team of quick learners. “Coming that close [losing to Arizona 1-0] defi nitely makes you realize that on the next go around you can easily come out on top. Just knowing that we’re so close boosts confidence tremendously. Its a way better feeling to be battling amazing teams and being considered a threat rather than going into games expecting a loss,h said senior Brittany Hyams, who has been a catalyst in the potent Tiger lineup. With confidence building, the senior motivation took advantage of the Palm Springs Classic. We came together as a team and put each run across as a team and made each play as a team and got each out as Softball Seniors Lead the Way a team. We had energy and fire and each taste of victory only increased the craving, said Hyams. The craving was too tempting to pass up in the sunny southern California sun and the Tigers caught fire. Pacific went 4-1 beating the 18 th ranked Baylor Bears, Long Island, Illinois-Chicago and Kansas. The only loss of the tournament was against 10 th ranked Oklahoma. Senior Kristin Allen was voted Big West Player of the week leading the Tigers with eight runsbatted in and two homeruns.Allen also picked up a save in the tournament. The Tigers have seven freshmen on the team and with only three seniors, leadership could have been anissue. Presson, Hyams and Allen quickly crumpled that notion into the recycle bin with their performance on the field and inattentive approach. Chemistry starts with the seniors and this years Tigers are a close-knit group. “This team is so talented. We have all the tools this year: amazing defense, offense, and a pitching staff that we can rely on. I’ve never been on a team with this much talent and camaraderie. We get along so well on and off the field it’s probably sickening to most people. We do have seven freshmen which is a huge freshman class, but each of them already has something to contribute that we need to be successful. I don’t think the youth of our team will be an issue. We start training in September and play tournaments in the fall, which allows for them to be new and work things out. But come spring they aren't the new kids anymore,” said Presson. The seniors understand that this yearfs freshman class plays a vital role in the success of the team and have the outmost faith. “Pacific softball will have a strong core for the next few years. As for this year, it's great to have the excitement of the new kids. We mesh really well on the field and its been feeling like we’ve been playing together for longer than just this season alone," said Hyams. The sky is the limit and with the senior leadership constantly reminding the young Tigers about confidence, this yearfs team has the potential to put up a banner in Spanos Center. “We expect to go to postseason this year! Our top concern is doing the things along the way to get us there down the road. We know that if we make it to regionals we have the talent to keep going from there," said Presson. With this senior approach and talent, this program can turn this year into the year of the Tiger.
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Sports 
I really thing the three seniors will help lead the Tigers to a conference championship
