Five new freshmen, one fall transfer and two more in the spring. Not to mention a new assistant coach. What’s different about the Binghamton University softball team? It’s more than just new bats in the dugout.

Since I started my softball career here, I have become familiar with terms like, “so close” and “almost there.” For two out of my three seasons, the team finished one spot away from a tournament berth. My sophomore year, it seemed every loss was just by a run or two runs. Every game, we were right there. We were so close.

But being one step off the bag does not go down as a hit in the scorebook. And this year, we’re driving to touch home every time.

With a talented incoming class and a determined group of returners, the Binghamton softball team has all the right players to produce a winning team. But just like in a game, every hit needs to come together for that single run. As a senior captain, I’ve learned that in order to turn those hits into runs and make players form a team, it’s vital to come together and find the best combinations.

And there’s no better time to do that than during preseason. Forget wins and losses — preseason is more about finding the right fit; who’s a better three-spot hitter, which pitcher can throw as a closer, what outfielder can cover the most ground or which infielder has the best range. Preseason games allow our coaches to find the best pitcher/catcher rotation, to learn what each player needs to work on, to analyze situational plays and to learn from instinctive decisions.

The possibilities are endless, but preseason games aren’t. After two tournaments down and a few non-conference games to go, the team is learning more about playing together than any hours in a gym could teach. Beyond communication, we’ve learned to trust one another; and that’s something that cannot be taught.

In two short weeks, the team will be heading to Albany to face our biggest rivals in the opening games of conference play. Nothing could pump us up more than to face this team, on their turf, and drive them back into their locker room with their Great Dane tails between their legs.

We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the coaching, we’ve got the drive and the desire and the will to win. We’ve got the hits. And our upcoming games at Fordham and Manhattan will teach us how to turn those hits into runs.

Since the start of preseason, every player has grown together to become our team — a team that will not settle for “so close” and “almost there.” It’s because “almost” has never cut it, and it will not stand in our way.

If you’ve read the back of our practice jerseys, you’ll recall the phrase, “If you want something you’ve never had, do something you’ve never done.” Whether a veteran or a newcomer, we are the team that’s ready to inch away from the past and build a new future. And there’s only one way to do it, starting with Albany.

— Senior Lauren Verrusio is the starting right fielder on the Binghamton softball team