SANTA CLARA, Calif. – With the season still months away, Santa Clara softball is hard at work getting set for its third season in the beautiful new Santa Clara Softball Stadium and second season of West Coast Conference softball. Head coach Lisa Mize, entering her seventh season at the helm of the Broncos, has had her team out for 6 a.m. practices this fall. Santa Clara will play eight fall games to stay sharp and get ready for the regular season opener in early 2015.

"Practices have been going really well," said Mize. "The team is working hard and looking forward to live games. In the fall we really focus on our fundamentals, learning our defensive plays, and hitting."

One thing that can be worrisome for a college coach is summer break when student-athletes head home and are on their own. Mize was pleased with how her team stayed in shape over the break.

"I think overall the players did great this summer," said Mize. "We had some players that had to take more time off with minor injuries and bodies needing rest but we seemed to report back refreshed and ready to work hard."

One way the team has been working hard so far this year is the 6 a.m. practices. The Broncos are out on the field working up a sweat before the sun rises.

"This team is dedicated and has really bought in to what we're doing so we have a very positive approach to morning practice," explained Mize. "It's a great way to start our mornings and the players get the rest of the day to have time to focus on their academics."

This season Santa Clara welcomes six freshmen to the team. In their first few weeks on the Mission campus the newest members of the team have fit in well with the returners.

"The freshman are doing well and working hard," said Mize. "I think each week gets a little better. It's always a little overwhelming the first few weeks getting adjusted to being away from home, time management and the day to day rigors of being a student-athlete."