Written by Emma Weber // Photo provided by Jordan Cobana
An outfielder for the Harding softball team has continued her strong season as the Great American Conference tournament approaches.
Senior outfielder Jordan Cabana leads in batting average, slugging percentage, runs batted in, on-base percentage and total bases. As a senior, Cabana has had the experience to enjoy her success with the team.
“Our team is the most encouraging team in our conference, and maybe even in all of D2 softball,” Cabana said. “We are constantly lifting one another up, and we always have each other’s backs. I know if I don’t do my job at the plate, whoever is hitting behind me will do theirs. To win games you have to have confidence in one another. For example, I’m confident our lead off Macy will get on base, and our two hole Mariana will move her over so myself or one of my teammates can score Macy. Since we all have confidence in one another to get our jobs done, we have been really successful.”
The team has been on a 15 game winning streak, and is 13-4 in the Great American Conference. Fellow senior pitcher Abby Burch enjoys the team atmosphere and how Jordan has contributed to the energy.
“Jordan has been doing well scoring and moving batters, which just overall adds a lot of positive morale to the team,” Burch said. “They say that hitting is contagious, so when you see a hitter who is producing, it just kind of bleeds off to the other batters. We are a team that feeds off of each other’s energy and presence, so when we see a teammate doing well it’s just a good feeling because we know that they are going to carry their good energy to the whole team.”
Sophomore catcher Kate Pierce shared this sentiment. Pierce noted that the success of the top of the lineup gives confidence to the rest of the team to do well.
“Jordan’s performance and success breeds team success,” Pierce said. “She has helped all of her teammates to be better both on and off the field. The sky’s the limit for our team.”
Cabana had been preparing for her last season by turning her weaknesses into her strengths. In the off-season, Cabana was hitting live off of the team’s pitchers. Hitting off of different pitches multiple times a week and working on certain pitches that Cabana struggled with allowed for team collaboration in refining skills needed to perform well during the season.
“This team is a big family, and I am thankful to have 19 sisters who support me through all I do on and off the field,” Cabana said. “There is no experience that compares to playing a college sport, especially when you get to do it with your best friends.”
Harding hosts Henderson State University for a three-game conference series beginning today at 4 p.m. at the Harding Softball Complex. The Great American Conference Tournament will begin May 2 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
