Robinson softball has returned for another spring season.  They finished their 2021-2022 season first in their district, and second in the regional finals. The team is on the greener side this year with nine freshmen and only four seniors, but the returning players have been working to prepare them for their first season.

This year the team is being led by four captains, one of them being Kohana Pousson (’23), a pitcher and outfielder.

“Strengths for this team are definitely skill and working to earn a spot..even though we are a young team now these freshmen have lots of skill…give them 2 years and Robinson will be phenomenal. Another skill would probably be the energy, even if we are losing most players are positive and keeping the energy up which is good to have,” Pousson said.

Pousson has recently committed to play D1 at Alabama State University. She finished last season with a .343 batting average with 23 hits and three home runs scored.

“Personally since last season, I’ve grown a tremendous amount. I’ve gained so much more confidence on the pitcher’s mound mentally and physically after facing national teams throughout summer and being able to face higher competition. I’m also finally able to relax a bit and enjoy my senior year since I’ve committed which gives me a better feeling as well,” Pousson said.

Another of the four captains is Riley Onisawa (’23), the main catcher for the team. She has recently signed to play D1 for Florida Southern University. Onisawa finished last season with a .377 batting average.

“We have good team chemistry and we all communicate well. We do have some weaknesses having a team with eight freshmen trying to work them up to a higher level of softball,” Onisawa said.

Having lost a lot of key players last year, captains have had to take on even stronger leadership positions.

“I took a step up helping the team knowing we had a lot of freshmen coming in and I have been trying to help everyone and be a leader,” Onisawa said.

Orli Probasco (’24) is one of the team’s top players this season. She finished last season with a .500 batting average. She has proven herself on the field with more than just her batting, Probasco’s fielding percentage last season was a whopping 1.000.

“We have a fantastic group of returning players who have stepped up to try and make the transition for the freshman a little easier.” Head Coach Ed Gallio said.

With a successful 2021-2022 season under their belt, the standards for the team are set high this year.

“As far as the biggest competition our schedule is full of top-tier teams, every game will be tough,” Gallio said.