As many KSC students took to the beaches to enjoy their spring break, the Keene State softball team headed south to warmer weather to kick off their 2025 campaign with ten games in Leesburg and Clermont, Fla.
The trip offered a first look at the team under new Head Coach Haley Chandler ’13 while also providing an opportunity for the players to bond and get comfortable with one another.
“It’s a time where they start to really get to know each other because they only have each other in Florida,” said Chandler.
Senior Captain and pitcher Lilah Demmy echoed these sentiments.
“We already spend a lot of time with each other, but when we get to live together and do fun things in Florida, it just helps the team really build into one,” Demmy said.
While team bonding was crucial, the Owls also knew results were important. Focused on their development and performance, the team was eager to see how their hard work would translate on the field. The approach to the trip was a simple one.
“The goal is to win the week. Every game is a chance to get better, and we want to come out of Florida knowing we gave it everything,” said Chandler.
“I think we’re going to come out and we’re gonna compete, and I think we’re gonna surprise a lot of people,” said junior infielder Kalle Halvorsen.
Keene State’s Florida journey began at Legends Way Ballfields in Clermont on March 16 with a tough 3-2 loss to SUNY Plattsburgh. The Owls quickly bounced back. The following day, they played two games, winning the first 11-3 against Salem State. A six-run first inning helped propel the Owls past the Vikings. However, they fell short in the second game, losing 8-0 to Endicott College in five innings.
Next, the Owls moved to Hancock Park Ballfields in Clermont, where the tide turned in their favor. On March 18, they cruised to a 12-0 win over Keuka College, fueled by 15 hits and a strong pitching performance from sophomore Megan Strzegowski. They followed that up with a 4-3 extra-innings victory over Wesleyan, with senior outfielder Olivia Whittier driving in the winning run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.
In their fourth game in Clermont on March 19, the Owls led 6-3 over Juniata College heading into the seventh inning. However, a three-run rally in the top of the seventh put the Eagles ahead 7-6. Despite a runner on third in the bottom of the seventh, the Owls were unable to respond, losing 7-6. This pushed their record to 3-3 with four games remaining.
The final four games of Keene State’s Florida trip were played at the Leesburg Sleepy Hollow Sports Complex. They began on March 20 with a 2-0 win over Old Westbury College, with Demmy earning the victory on the mound, allowing just two hits and striking out three. The second game of the day was another close one, this time against SUNY Brockport. After trading runs back and forth, the Owls lost 11-10 in a high-scoring battle.
The Owls finished strong, winning their final two games—beating Knox College 8-6 and Ripon College 7-2. With a 6-4 record in Florida, Keene State heads into the regular season on a two-game win streak.
“Our goal was to win the week, and we did just that with six wins and four losses,” said Halvorsen. “We felt a huge improvement from last year.”
With their Florida trip in the books, the Owls now turn their attention to the rest of the season. Their next challenge awaits as they return north to play a doubleheader against Smith College on March 28.
For this group, the experience in Florida turned out to be about much more than just the wins and losses. With that being said, don’t be surprised if they continue in this vein of form.
“This year’s performances will shock a lot of people,” said Halvorsen.
Elías Stowell Alemán can be contacted at
estowellaleman@kscequinox.com
