Clarksville, Ark.-U of O head softball coach Roland Rodriguez has focused on improving the team's mental toughness and overall approach to the game in his first year with the program.

And the veteran NCAA Division III coach believes his team is heading in the right direction.

"Their mental approach is on the uprise," he said. "They have developed into fighters little by little from the fall until now. They seem to believe in themselves more. They are unified and support each other."

Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience and success to a program that hasn't had a winning season since 2004. Rodriguez has instilled in his players the importance of taking pride in the program.
     
"I want them to take pride in who we are and what they represent," he said. "They get one shot at being a college athlete, and I want them to take pride in what they do. I don't want them to overlook the fact that not everyone has a chance to play college softball."

Rodriguez inherits six position players with starting experience, including four All-Conference players from last year's 13-26 team. Junior designated player Krysten Shavers, sophomore outfielder Brooke Hoffsommer, sophomore second baseman Beth Massey and sophomore pitcher Hannah Oler received All-Conference accolades last season. Shavers ended the year with a .337 average and posted a team-best 21 RBI, 10 doubles, 35 hits and 51 total bases. Hoffsommer led the team in batting (.354), while finishing second in runs (16). Massey started in 37 games and hit .250 with four doubles and two home runs.

The pitching staff will include Oler and sophomores Abby Mork and Peyton Winkfein.

"Our pitching has to be able to develop to a certain level and then maintain consistency," he said. "I want to see our pitchers mentally strong and believe in themselves. I do see them maturing."

Oler, a left-hander, finished second on the team in innings pitched (80.2) and strikeouts (28). Oler was also a threat at the plate, batting .296 with a team-best four homers. Mork tossed 23.1 innings, while Winkfein threw 6.2 innings in 2015.

Rodriguez has been pleased with his team's attitude and effort during the preseason.

"The kids are taking it serious," he said. "I think their effort will be visible. While this is an effort sport, it is also a skill sport. They have to be good at what they do. If they get better individually, we get better collectively."

Hoffsommer will likely be joined by newcomer Haleigh Moore in the outfield.    

"We are learning different techniques in the outfield," he said. "It is not just effort, there is a method to doing things. We are getting to where we need to be defensively, but it has taken some time."

Around the infield, Rodriguez sees plenty of competition and players battling for spots.

"There is competition in the infield," he said. "They challenge each other. Our defense has to fend for us."

Offensively, Rodriguez believes his players will need to remain focused throughout the rigors of the American Southwest Conference.  

"You have to be tough mentally," he said. "The pitching is so good in this conference. Our players must be able to keep their heads up throughout the weekend because there is never a let up."

Rodriguez hasn't focused on a certain number of wins in his first year, he simply wants his team to remain focused each game.

"I don't know how many wins or loses we will have," he said. "We have to approach each game as individual contests, rather than three-game series. We have to be patient and be strong on Saturday if things don't go our way Friday. We never want to be score board watching. We need to keep playing hard."

Ozarks opens the season at home February 12 against Howard Payne University.