Behind the leadership of returning players the American River College women’s softball team, who finished last season with a 25-13 record, got back into the swing of things taking on former players in an exhibition game on Sept. 26.

The game was more for fun with no official score being kept and coach Lisa Delgado keeping track of the balls and strikes.  Valerie Enriquez who played from 2006-2007 was one of the players who came back to take part in this annual game.

“I love it, it’s hilarious,” Enriquez said.  “It’s probably the highlight of the year coming out here and playing.”

The game wasn’t fun for just the alumnus, but the girls still on the team had a great time as well.

“It’s so much fun,” sophomore outfielder Gisselle Jimenez said.  “We had a blast, you can tell that we’re like a big family, and we tease each other but at the end of the day it’s all love.”

This offseason has been a busy one for Jimenez who has been putting in lots of extra work.

“I go out and hit, extra fielding, and I always ask to get in extra work, and I feel that’s the only way I’m going to get better,” Jimenez said.

Getting the girls ready for the season is the main goal for these off-season workouts.

“Right now in the fall we are just working on fundamentals and teaching them ‘Beaver-style,’” Delgado said.

The team will be returning the top two batters from last year’s team in Jimenez and Michelle Tarlandoukht.

For the girls on the current roster Enriquez has this advice going forward for the season.

“Just stay calm and take it one day at a time.” Enriquez said.