UIndy softball had a 60-7 overall record with a 25-1 conference record in 2024, according to UIndy Athletics. Now, the team finished up its remaining preseason games and began its 2025 spring season.
Head Coach Melissa Frost said she is happy with the strides the team has made so far in the preseason, and the success they have seen is thanks to the hard work the players put in during the offseason.
“It’s one of the hardest working groups that I’ve had,” Frost said. “I think just their ability to really put their head down and work has been the key.”
Frost said the preseason games are an opportunity for the players to “get their feet wet” before the spring season. She said she is moving around the lineup to find the right combination for the team to gel together again.
Senior Jocelyn Calvin has been a staple and leader for the team at second base, according to Frost. Aside from Frost’s goal to win a trophy in the national tournament, she said she hopes the seniors, including Calvin, learn respect, accountability and trustworthiness to apply to their lives after their time at UIndy softball as well.
“We always tell them walking out of this program, we want you to walk into life thinking that you can conquer anything, and there’s nothing that’s going to be too big for you to handle,” Frost said.
Calvin said she believes preseason is important to find out who can play what role and what the team’s strengths and weaknesses are. She said the team looks different this year because of all the newcomers and the team being so young, but the goal is to work together as a unit.
“At the end of the day, the goal is of course winning that big trophy and getting farther than we did the year before,” Calvin said. “But I think those relationships and being close is what brings us closer to that trophy.”
Another goal Calvin said she has for her senior year is to get an All-American selection, which she has been close to in the past. While Calvin is still working towards earning that award, she said she is most proud of the relationships she has made with her teammates over the years.
Calvin said she has become lifelong friends with her teammates and that some will even be in her wedding one day. She said that from her time as a student athlete, she is constantly moving and has learned how to manage her time between softball, school and social life. Most importantly, Calvin said she understands that hard work pays off and the work you put in affects where you will go later on in life.
UIndy softball begins its spring games on March 10 against Hillsdale College which will be in Florida, and its first home game is on March 22 at noon. Frost said she hopes the team will draw out some big crowds at Baumgartner Field of not only student-athletes but the student body as well.
“We’re pushing to get that trophy this year, and we’re going to continue to work,” Calvin said. “I feel like we’re going to be that big team everyone’s looking out for.”
