With their season opener less than a week away, the Fresno City College softball team keeps its nose to the grind and continues to push harder for success.

Rhonda Williams is back for her 18th season as head coach. Williams sees great importance in the relationship among team members. She conducts team bonding activities to build a foundation between her players. The most recent team bonding activity was held at Fresno State University, where a ropes course was set up and the Rams focused on their team unity.

The team comes off a 2012 season that ended with an overall record 33-13 and a conference record of 16-2 record and a Central Valley Conference title. They traveled to College of the Siskiyous, where they finished in the Super Regional after a loss to College of the Siskiyous.

Williams seems to have a great deal of confidence in her team. This season is expected to differ from last year because of the day-to-day focus and determination.

“Our first priority is to play well enough to get into the playoffs and hopefully defend our Central Valley Champions title,” says WIlliams.

Although defending that title will be the team’s biggest challenge, WIlliams says her team is more than capable of reaching that goal.

Williams says her team plans to get past super regionals this year by maintaining  effective pitching, solid defense, and a productive offense on the same day, at the same time. With strong team leaders like Kassie Sierras, Adrianna Bencomo, Dana Moritz, Courtney Rodgers and Leticia Fernandez the Rams feel optimistic.

Kapri Angotti, a member of last year’s team who now plays for Fresno State University, says she encourages this year’s team to keep striving.

“Never give up or be afraid to play the game at a higher level. The team who can give 110 percent all seven innings will always come out on top,” Angotti said.

The Rams will open the season against Bakersfield College on  Feb. 1 at 2p.m. at FCC.