Bucyrus alumna Caleigh Rister named Division II Freshman of the Year in softball at Cal U
Zachary Holden
BUCYRUS — "Reassuring."
That's the first word that came to mind when Bucyrus alumna Caleigh Rister — now plying her trade at California University of Pennsylvania — was asked about her freshman season that culminated in her being named Division II Freshman of the Year.
"It really shows all of my hard work and dedication, everything I've worked for the last 10 years of my athletic career, has paid off," she said. "I made the right decision choosing the school I did and the division I'm playing in. It really just reassured me."
Rister's freshman season with the Vulcans was nothing short of remarkable. She was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Player of the Week multiple times along with being named PSAC West Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year prior to her national recognition. Additionally, she was named second team All-America as a utility player.
"The feeling is indescribable," Rister said of her postseason accolades. "To say I'm far beyond honored and appreciative is an understatement. I couldn't even begin to thank my coaching staff, my teammates, the university, my friends and family for supporting me all season long. Every call and text (of) congratulations means more than anyone would even begin to know.
"I wish I could express truly how grateful I am for this award and honor. When I got the call (about Freshman of the Year), I was speechless."
Rister led the Vulcans in almost every statistical category and, if she wasn't at the top, she was second. She had a .415 batting average with 34 hits, 36 runs, 23 RBIs, five home runs, a .560 on-base percentage and a .829 slugging percentage. In the circle she was 13-4 with 11 complete games, had a 1.58 ERA, 64 strikeouts and a .242 batting average against.
All that while not even knowing how much she would be used at the beginning of the season.
"When we went to Arizona I was hoping to get an at-bat or a couple innings in the outfield," Rister said. "I was expecting to be the best teammate I could be for my teammates in the dugout and take whatever was thrown my way.
"It was a little intimidating at first, but after getting out there ... it's just another batter. I had to do my job."
And while there was a big learning curve from high school to college, Rister credits travel ball to making that transition a little easier.
"There was a big jump from high school to college, but since I played travel ball that was more so the speed of the game," she said. "Girls start throwing harder, they react faster, the amount of time you have to a pitch or a ground ball gets shorter. But I realized as my opponents were more competitive, I grew more competitive.
"It was more so adapting to the speed of the game than the competition itself."
Being around an entire team full of players with the same mindset as her, too, made that even easier.
"Playing for coach (Rick) Bertagnolli, I really realized the competitive, successful culture he has instilled in the program and how all of us are committed to fulfill that," Rister said. "I don't think I've played with girls who are as driven, passionate and knowledgable about the game as my teammates are. Coach B has recruited girls with a love for the game and a desire to win.
"It was immediately evident in the first fall practice, and I credit my teammates for helping me make it and get these accolades. Without them, I wouldn't have seen the success I did. They backed me up defensively, offensively they produced and I was thankful to have a team I'd describe as a family.
"We were able to lift one another up, hold each other accountable, celebrate our successes and learn from the lows we had as well."
Upon arriving to Cal U, Rister was put on a strict training regiment and had her days mapped out. That's exactly what she needed to make the strides, physically and mentally, that she did.
"I had never worked out, pitched or practiced as much as I did this year," Rister said. "I was pitching every day of the week; before I'd throw three days a week. Pitching every day, practicing — not just fly balls — but a full infield, hitting, pitching, then conditioning and working out every morning. That helped build the strength that was shown as the season progressed.
"I went in expecting it, so the transition was easier, and I really liked the routine. I have to be at lifting at 6:45 in the morning, then I pitch for an hour, go to class, go to an outfield session of defense, come back for infield and hitting. It was nice having structure and knowing my day was laid out."
And while she knows she set the bar high as a freshman, Rister knows her work isn't done yet. She still has three years to go in a Vulcans uniform.
"I'm going into next year playing my game, doing what I do," Rister said. "This year I did get the accolades and honors ... but I'm not settling. Next year and future years I hope to exceed (expectations) and succeed as much as I did this year with the help of my teammates and coaching staff.
"It's only up from here."
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Twitter: @Zachary_Holden