First-year Houghton softball Head Coach Chad Muise takes the reins of a team that has a solid foundation, strong leadership and an experienced lineup that is ready to prove themselves in the Empire 8. The win-loss column in 2021 doesn't tell the whole story of last year's squad. The team lost several close, one-, two- and three-run games and finished with five conference wins. Muise offers a quick look at his expectations for 2022.

Watch the video above for the full interview.

What are your thoughts on what the team accomplished last spring?
The team showed a lot of ability to be competitive with many teams within our conference.

What are some of your team goals and expectations for this season?
We expect to do a lot of things with consistency, hit the pitches we want, run the bases, field, and throw – all with consistency. If we can do that, the growth we have been working towards will be evident.

Who are some of the key personnel losses?
Losing Hannah Cybart and Caitlyn Cybart is tough – they contributed a lot on the field, and were great leaders off the field.

Who are some of your key returners and what do they bring to the team?
We have had a lot of athletes gain valuable experience young in their playing career.

What are the things this team needs to do to challenge for an E8 playoff spot?
Consistent play will be very important for making the playoffs. The E8 features some very strong teams, recognized regionally and nationally – so playing a consistent brand of softball will give us the best chances of staying competitive with top teams, and allowing us a chance to compete for a playoff spot.

What are the key games on schedule?
Any Empire 8 match-up is always fun to compete in! We open conference play on April 1 and 2 with a trip to Utica and Sage – and we will take some intentional time to celebrate our Seniors against Keuka on April 23.