Humboldt State Softball Blog #2
April 5, 2021
with Emily McAdams, Jenna Sobrero and Vanessa Saltos

During Humboldt State's softball team's trip to the States of Oregon, Montana, Idaho and Washington, several Lumberjacks will be posting blogs throughout their trip.  This one comes from the trio of Emily McAdams, Jenna Sobrero and Vanessa Saltos.
 
Emily McAdams
First about her recording her first win in the Green and Gold…Getting my first wins as a Jack was awesome. We really came together as a whole unit and I definitely fed off of our energy each game which encouraged me to keep fighting in the circle.
 
On the transition from JUCO to Oregon Tech to Humboldt…The transition from my Juco to Oregon tech and then to here was interesting to say the least. It came with lots of adjustments and I had to overcome a lot. After leaving my Juco I kind of got a wake-up call and had to figure out how to do things on my own softball wise. I no longer had someone right next to me for every bullpen I threw, helping me figure out what needed to be fixed. Another very tough adjustment would be the different coaching styles. One place is never going to be the same as another so that was probably the most difficult thing to adjust to, but I am very thankful to have gotten the opportunity to transfer to Humboldt state and continue playing! 
 
Superstitions…I have a couple pregame superstitions. I wear my hair the same way, I do not talk to anybody during warm ups, I barely watch the other team and I try not to think about softball at all. I have figured out that not thinking about softball and having a clear mind is what works best for me when in the circle.
 
Jenna Sobrero
-----how she balances school and softball especially during covid
On her recent outstanding play in the outfield….I just knew I needed to get these outs for my team! This ain't my first rodeo and I knew I needed to get the job done if the opportunity came. Plays like this is what fuels the excitement throughout our team and brings us all together. It feels awesome when you make a play and your teammates go buck-wild for you.
 
On how she balances school and softball especially during these times….It has been extremely hectic but with the help of Coach Fox and my teammates I am able to have a better focus on my academics. I try to utilize the days off and our study hall hours to turn in homework. My professors have been extremely helpful in supporting me and being flexible with me during this trip.  
 
Go Jacks!
 
Vanessa Saltos
 
On her first collegiate home run.Before my home run when I was up to bat I was just thinking about how I needed to make solid contact in order to move my runners. Then once I saw the pitch I liked I just went for it. When I saw that ball go over the fence I was so excited. I couldn't contain my excitement because I realized what I just did. I hit my first collegiate home run! It was almost like I was re-experiencing the moment I hit my first ever home run. What made the moment extra special was just seeing how excited my team was for me. They were jumping up and down and cheering. It will be a moment I will forever cherish!
 
Transition from high school to Humboldt State…The transition from high school to college was a huge change. I am going from living with my parents to living 7 hours away in a dorm room all by myself. Then going from having in person classes to having all classes on Zoom. What helped with the transition was having my teammates to turn to. I am living on campus with the freshman class and it helps because we are all going through this new experience together. Then we are also able to turn to the upperclassmen for advice and guidance because they have been in our shoes before. 
 
Humboldt State will finish up its first half of its schedule this weekend in the State of Washington. The Lumberjacks will face Saint Martin's in a three-game series, April 6-7, in Lacey, Wash. They will finish off their road trip with a five-game series with Central Washington, April 9-11 in Ellensburg, Wash.  For updates on the 5-1 Lumberjacks, go to www.hsujacks.com or check them out on social media at @HSUJacks.