Sometimes, pitchers in the game of softball need to be patted on the back or kicked in the butt to be motivated. The one person on the field who best has a feel for that is the catcher, and it is often thought of as the hardest position to play in the sport. It is easily the most taxing, physically and mentally, out of all the positions.

Ultimately, they are critical to the success of any softball team and often get little recognition or glory. Behind the plate you have to inhabit a strategic defensive performance. And of course, defense wins games.

It’s almost a surprise that catchers have any offensive power at all. After squatting down on and off for several hours everyday for a majority of the year, it’s amazing that they can even swing a bat.

For Karina Bolster, those problems don’t seem to apply. The junior has succeeded on both sides, and currently holds the third highest slugging average on the softball team.

You have to applaud her toughness and stamina after catching fastballs in the palm of her mitt at 60 mph, hitting bone over and over and continuing to play the role of on field administrator. At the same time, Bolster contributes her bat in the bulk of the line-up while keeping team chemistry positive.

“I try to push each person to their highest potential and make sure everyone can come talk to me if they have any problems,” says Bolster.

With no captains, the Suffolk Softball team has to rely on each other and work as a single unit. The team does look to their two seniors, Clara Conklin and Monica Cioffi, for questions, concerns and a certain spark of enthusiasm that’s needed during practice and games to help pump up the team. It is extremely vital that the team has a strong relationship with each other to get that certain chemistry on the field.

“The team chemistry we have this year is something that was lacking in the past couple seasons,” Bolster says. “We are not afraid to tell each other how it is and will always be there to pick each other up.”

Bolster has strong expectations for this year’s softball team, with hopes of making it to the playoffs. Currently, the team is 4-10 overall and 1-3 in the GNAC, but Bolster comments that it’s early in the season and there is a great deal of time to grow.

Although the team would ultimately like to place in the top four in the conference, they are looking at each game one at a time.

“We all hope to make playoffs this year,” adds Bolster. “We have a great connection on and off the field and potential to go far if we all play together cohesively.”

With over 10 games left in April the softball team’s mindset will intensify as the season progresses. Bolster knows that her coaches expect a lot from the team because they see the potential. The hope is the team can execute throughout the rest of the season.

“Coach Lemasters knows the game of softball. She played for Michigan State University and on several National teams as well. So her knowledge of the game is top notch,” explains Bolster with a smile. “She and our other two assistant coaches expect a lot out of us, and I agree. We have a lot of talent on the team that just needs to be released from the cage, and that’s what they keep pounding into us.”