Eduardo Miranda

The Daily Independent

Cerro Coso softball is going into the upcoming season with not only a new team but under the leadership of new head coach Claudia Navarro Verduzco. The team is coming off an 8-31 overall record a year ago with an Inland Empire Athletic Conference record of 4-11 for fifth place. As the new coach of the program, Verduzco spoke on the goals for the program.

"My goals for my program so far going forward, I really want to try my best to keep the season. My main priority is first and foremost to get through conference. I do have a smaller roster size this year, which I'm OK with. I'm very open to making sure my roster size is regardless if it's small or not, I really want to make sure they are all healthy and able to play. Another goal I have is to keep the program, and I would like to keep the program for the next years coming up. And just be a good coach for my girls and get them to where they want to be," she said.

Verduzco is no stranger to the program or the returning players as she was previously the assistant coach. She spoke on how knowing the players and being part of the program has helped her in transiting into the role of head coach.

"It's been great, and they been helpful with everything that I don't know. With them already knowing me, because this is my fifth year coaching at Cerro Coso, so the transition is going to be difficult for any coach no matter what, whether it's out of the school or here inside. They have been very patient with me, and because they already know who I am and who I coach and the personality that I have, they are very open to what's coming. They are very supportive and ready to take on the season no matter what the circumstances," she said.

Cerro Coso begins its new season under Verduzco with a road game at Antelope Valley College on Thursday, Jan. 29, with the first pitch at 2 p.m. The Coyotes then make their home debut on Friday the 30th with a doubleheader against Porterville with the first game at noon. Cerro Coso begins Inland Empire Athletic Conference with a road doubleheader at Barstow on March 6. The Coyotes' first conference home game is a doubleheader against Chaffey on March 27.

Verduzco spoke on the goals for the non-conference and conference.

"Non-conference portion is keeping everybody healthy. That's going to be the main thing, making sure we are getting ahead of the curve when it comes down to mechanics. Academics is going to be a big portion for us, making sure we are staying on top of our academics because we are already going to have a pretty rough season regardless of whether because of the small roster size or game schedules. I just want to make sure everybody is keeping up with their grades, keeping up with their health. When it comes down to conference, keeping an open mind and trusting the process with everything that we have learned from the Fall, preseason, and getting work done," the Coyotes coach said.

The Cerro Coso coach continued on the games she is looking forward to watching her team compete in for both non-conference and conference.

She said, "I'm very excited for all of it. We actually have our first doubleheader coming up against Porterville. I'm excited to play Porterville. It's always been great competition against Porterville, and we actually have a girl from Porterville, so it makes it that more exciting. In conference, I'm excited to play everybody. The conference itself when it comes down to the other coaches have been very welcoming and very helpful. I'm excited to be here."

Cerro Coso is going into the new season with a smaller roster of 10 active players. The new coach said she has three sophomores from last season's team and seven freshmen. She praised her freshman class as they are excited to start their collegiate careers. They are putting the bat on the ball, are open to everything, love everything about the program, and are ready to take on everything head-on.

With three sophomores on the roster, Verduzco praised her veteran leaders for the leadership they have shown the incoming freshman players.

"They are excited and ready. They have been open to all of the freshmen since day one, and they have been so helpful with everybody. I do have a couple of injuries on the team, but that does not stop them from helping the freshmen at all. They have been helpful when it comes down to the classroom, navigating life as a college student in general outside of softball, and helping in any way they can on the field. As a coach it's amazing to see since I've had them since they were freshmen. I've talked to all them since they were juniors and seniors in high school, so seeing them grow and give back to the lower-classmen is so rewarding as a coach," she said.

This season will be the first for the Coyotes with the new stadium seating behind home plate for the fans. Verduzco spoke on the excitement her players have to open the season with fans in the seats.

She said, "they are excited. During the Fall, we had a few fans come out and watch the games. It's been very exciting. We actually packed the stadium for our first game that was available for everybody to come out for the stadium, so that was exciting. Obviously for Spring, we are going to have a lot more girls coming out, just people in general coming out, the younger teams for IWV softball, and it's exciting. I love that they finally get to see all the great things about Cerro Coso now."

With the season starting on the road at Antelope Valley College on Thursday and the first home doubleheader on Friday against Porterville, the Coyotes coach and her players are excited and nervous for their first season.

"I'm not going to lie but I am very nervous. Obviously taking over as head coach because I was very comfortable being the assistant coach, and I'm not going to sugar-coat it. I was very comfortable being the assistant coach. Whatever aspect and things that happened for me to take over, either way I'm excited to take over. The girls are nervous and excited at the same time, especially for our freshmen who are about to start their first collegiate season. It's exciting and nervous, but again, I have a group of girls with a lot of grit, and they are ready to take on any competition," Verduzco said.