By Nick Romeo — Reporter
It’s hard to fully appreciate the highs in life at the moment. The worst is when the good times pass by without enjoying them.
On March 12, the Mountain West announced all spring sporting events were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
For many senior athletes across the country, the sudden cancellations made that sentiment a reality. Many played their last game without even realizing it.
What makes that reality especially tough to endure? Just ask San Jose State’s softball team.
The Spartans won 21 of their 26 games during the abbreviated season, which included a program-record 17-game win streak.
For senior captain Cassidy Clark, the news just didn’t feel real.
“Honestly, I was just in denial,” Clark said. “I was super shocked and very confused. There’s really no words to describe how I felt when I found out the season was actually canceled.”
As noted, the softball team had been on a tear this season. It was obvious that the team stood out against its competition. Knowing there was a chance for something special made an abrupt ending to the season that much more heartbreaking.
“Well, if we were having a bad season, I’d say ‘whew, we got out of that one’,” said head coach Peter Turner. “But since we were having a great season, it leaves you feeling gutted.”
The devastation over a lost season cannot be overstated. However, this can be a huge motivator leading into next season.
The NCAA has already voted to extend eligibility for seniors. While there are issues to be ironed out such as scholarships, this opens the door to a glimmer of hope that’s hard to come by these days.
The question is: will athletes such as Clark forgo graduation to extend their collegiate careers?
“If I got the chance to play softball another year, I’d definitely take it,” Clark said. “But there are other factors to consider. I wasn’t planning on having a fifth year.”
Fellow senior Janessa Lozano feels the same draw to come back for another season.
“Definitely,” Lozano said. “In a heartbeat.”
Of course, that is easier said than done. Our society continues to drift into uncharted waters as the events of this pandemic continue to unfold, so knowing what’s on the horizon is impossible. No one knows what the next six months will look like.
What is clear, is that players are beyond devastated. But they are still hungry to compete with their teammates one last time. Players have had this feeling since the beginning of the cancellation, but the seniors may get the chance to extend the good times.
One of the many strengths of this team is the depth, and the team will need to retain seniors such as Clark and Lozano to maintain that advantage.
Players like Clark help drive a team to success, and she certainly played a big role in her team’s torrid pace through 26 games. Getting her back for another season would be invaluable for the Spartans.
“She’s one of the people that makes you want to coach,” Turner said. “Not everyone is like that, I can safely say that she is the most respected player on the team.”
Follow Nick on Twitter @nromeo12