SAN DIEGO – 17-11. That was the record of the San Diego State softball team entering Mountain West play, where it had the most first-place votes in a preseason poll picked by the league's head coaches.
That was a big improvement from the Aztecs' last two seasons entering conference play, where they were a combined 21-30 (12-13 in 2019, 9-17 in 2018).
"We felt really confident because our team has never connected as much as it has this year," senior outfielder Kristen Parker said. "Out of my four years here, we had the most potential (to win the Mountain West) this year."
"Everybody was excited to finally get into conference play," senior shortstop Shelby Thompson said. "We were building to this all preseason and (non-conference play)."
37th out of 298 schools. That was SDSU's ranking in the initial RPI, which is a mathematical calculation used to help determine each team's success, using a calculated strength of schedule and won-loss percentage.
Since no more games were played after the initial RPI came out on March 8, it ended up being San Diego State's best RPI since finishing the 2010 season at No. 28 and its third-best RPI since records have been saved on the NCAA website in 2007.
Included in the Aztecs' 17 wins were two against No. 17 Cal State Fullerton, and one each against No. 23 Notre Dame, No. 42 Brigham Young and No. 47 Boston Univ.
"There were definitely times in (non-conference games) where we showed how good we could be," senior outfielder Kiera Wright said. "There were sometimes we didn't too, but we were building toward conference play. Conference (play) was where we were going to show how good we can be, and keep that momentum going into the postseason."
"We were an NCAA tournament team," Parker said. "100 percent."
With a balance of 11 newcomers, including the fourth-rated transfer class by Softball America, and 11 returners, including three all-Mountain West selections, SDSU was all set to kick off MW play by hosting defending champion Colorado State for a weekend home series, beginning on Friday, March 13.
"This was the best year in my four years of being here," senior pitcher Marissa Moreno said. "During (non-conference play), our team chemistry was great, and I had high hopes for us going into conference (play). That whole first week of practice (before Mountain West play), we were excited and getting ready to play Colorado State. We thought we were going to dominate."
"I'd been saying since the beginning (of the season) that we were going to win the (Mountain West conference) ring," Wright said. "There were no ifs, ands or buts. We weren't going to let anyone beat us. This was going to be our year."
Then the news came out on Thursday, March 12. In conjunction with the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors, due to the COVID-19 virus, San Diego State, along with the Mountain West, immediately suspended game competition for its spring sports.
"I thought it was going to be just a temporary situation, not the whole season," Thompson said. "(The team) was texting each other and we couldn't believe it."
"My first thought was that (the season) was completely over," Wright said. "I remember going into the (Fowler Athletic Center) to (learning specialist) Megan Taormina's office and just balling my eyes out. In my head I was like, 'No way, it's really bad' because (the coronavirus) did a 180 in 24 hours. I knew it was real. This doesn't just happen in 24 hours like this."
Following the NCAA decision later in the afternoon to cancel remaining winter and spring championships this year, San Diego State and the Mountain West decided to cancel the entire 2020 spring sports season.
"At first I was completely shocked," Moreno said. "I didn't want to believe it. I kept saying in my head, 'This can't be real.' Them my teammates and I all started texting as a group and we were sad. I didn't want to believe it at first. I didn't want to let my mind to process it. I was in complete shock."
"I was walking to class, but I was in the (Fowler Athletic Center) when I found out the season was canceled," Parker said. "I immediately walked up to my academic advisor Megan Taormina's office. I just didn't know what to do. That was the feeling. I just didn't know what was happening."
Gone was a 30-win or maybe even a 40-win season. Gone was a chance at a league-record eighth MW regular-season title. Gone was a chance at a first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2015 (the Aztecs had played in every NCAA tournament from 2008-15). Just like that.
"Looking back at how our last game ended - we got run-ruled in our game (against Long Beach State) on a Sunday (March 8)," Wright said. "Looking back, you need to treat every game like it could be your last. You don't realize it and you take it for granted."
As of Monday, March 30 at 2 p.m. PT, the NCAA hadn't ruled on whether seniors (or non-seniors) would get a year of eligibility back due to the coronavirus.
"I think when it originally happened it felt like there was unfinished business that I wanted to do," Parker said. "But the longer I've sat on this I know I got what I wanted out of this program. I hope I get another year when it's all said and done, but whatever happens, happens."
"The fact that it's only been two weeks and it's still going on I understand that it happened for the betterment of society," Wright said. "It could've been much worse if we kept going. But right now, I'm happier for our team because the seniors might get another chance to show what they still have. I'm happy for my team and seeing them text me every day how they miss each other. We're still a family. We still keep in contact with everybody."
And now, with some of the team not playing softball for an extended period for the first time since they were young, it's been hard to let go.
"I'm just trying to stay on top of schoolwork online and getting my homework done," Thompson said. "I'm still working out. I'm acting like we are going to get another year back. I don't want to get it in my head that my career is done."
"I've been catching up in all my schoolwork," Moreno said. "Just relaxing, staying inside, hanging out with my family and of course, keeping in touch with all my teammates because I miss them. This is the longest I've been away from them."