George Washington University Athletics
Battle-Tested
2/14/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jenna ConeSo. || 5-11 || UT
Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Cone earned a place on USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List after a breakout freshman campaign in 2017. The sophomore from California was named A-10 Rookie of the Year and earned spots on the All-Conference and NFCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Teams after hitting .395 and setting program records for home runs (18), slugging percentage (.822), on-base percentage (.500), runs scored (47) and RBIs (59).
The Colonials head to California next weekend for UC-Riverside's Amy S. Harrison Classic. They're set for two games apiece with New Mexico and Montana and one against the host Highlanders.Make no mistake, Sarah Costlow still gets butterflies in her stomach every time she steps in the circle to pitch.
The GW right-hander may have logged 509 1/3 innings over 96 appearances en route to a program-record 40 wins in her first three collegiate seasons, but that feeling of anticipation still lets her know it's gameday.
"I don't think that will ever go away," Costlow said with a smile. "I think the day I don't feel it is when I'm probably not going to pitch that well because I'm too calm."
Butterflies and all, Costlow's experience sets her apart, heading into her senior season. The Riverside, Calif., native has seen it all by now and can use those memories to her advantage.
With more talent around her than ever before, the Colonials are counting on Costlow to continue to be the ace and leader of an increasingly deep pitching staff this spring with an eye on building on last season's program-record 28 wins and returning to the Atlantic 10 Championship.
"Sarah's the type of pitcher you want on your staff," pitching coach Maxine Rodriguez said. "She's the one that's going to go out and get stuff done. That's what you need."
Costlow has handled a heavy workload every step of the way in her GW career. She's pitched at least 50 more innings than any other Colonial in each of the past three seasons.
In 2015, Costlow turned 37 appearances into a program record 16 wins, logging a career-high 190 2/3 innings.
She's followed with two of the Top 10 seasons in program history in terms of ERA, including a career-best 2.52 mark in 130 2/3 innings last season.
To head coach James DeFeo, that success is about attitude as much as anything.
"She's a bulldog," DeFeo said. "Mentally, she is as tough as they come. Just tough as nails. I think that's one of the greatest attributes any successful pitcher has to have. Whether she has all her stuff working one day or it's not the best of days, you wouldn't know by looking at her on the mound."
Costlow credits DeFeo for helping her reach her full potential. She's always relied more on location and movement than overpowering stuff, but she's developed a more well-rounded arsenal since the coach arrived in August 2016.
Until then, the veteran hurler had relied heavily on sinking pitches to get her outs. She's put in the time to diversify her repertoire, especially improving her riseball.
"It was kind of tough, but it's made those pitches so much better," Costlow said. "I just bought in and committed to it and now I'm a way better pitcher overall."
Costlow admits all those innings began to take their toll toward the end of last season. It was an eye-opening lesson for a proud workhorse to realize the benefits of quality over quantity.
This spring, the goal is to keep Costlow in top form all the way through May, even if that means scaling back her innings early on.
DeFeo believes the Colonials have enough capable arms to do it. He's got options with a diverse crew of pitchers.
Ashley Pilcher is a senior known for her pinpoint control coming off the best season of her career. Faith Weber and Kaitlin Buff are both back after getting valuable experience as freshmen. Weber is the hardest thrower of the group, while Buff presents a different look as a lefty.
Then, there is freshman Sierra Lange, who arrives with the tools to be a valuable contributor sooner than later.
"The game starts and ends in the circle," DeFeo said. "If you have the pitching, you're going to have a good season. This group understands that and they know it's going to take all of them together to have the type of season that we're looking forward to having."
Costlow is set to play a major role in that, whether she's on the field or acting as a mentor in the dugout. She relishes the chance to share what she's learned over the years with youngsters that are eager to listen.
That leadership makes everybody's job easier.
In his first season, DeFeo appreciated having an ace who understood when to call time out and gather the infield for a quick pep talk to get the Colonials back on track.
Rodriguez has leaned on Costlow often to set the tone for the staff in her first season with the club.
"She understands and knows what it takes and wants to win," said Rodriguez, who pitched for DeFeo at Mercer. "When that mentality rubs off on the other pitchers, that's great. She does a great job."
Lange has spent the past six months since joining the Colonials trying her best to mirror Costlow's approach on the field, in the weight room and in the locker room.
"To have someone step up like that, it's really cool to see," Lange said. "I know it's just been so huge for me. I strive to be like that someday."
Already GW's wins leader, Costlow is within reach of the top spot in almost every other pitching category. Regardless of what happens next, she'll leave a legacy as one of the top hurlers to come through the program.
Costlow used to write down specific personal goals heading into a season. She didn't do that this time around, though.
When the butterflies settle in before Costlow's first start of the season, she said only one thing will be on her mind.
"My mindset this year is winning," Costlow said. "Nothing else really matters, at this point. I just want to do whatever it takes to win."
WATCH THIS: DeFeo and several Colonials offer previews of this year's squad.
Only two more days til we get the season started in Florida! Get to know your 2018 Colonials! #RaiseHigh #WeWill #T2 pic.twitter.com/8jC8qsHnWa
-- GW Softball (@GW_Softball) February 14, 2018
