Like countless other freshmen around the country, the first taste of the college experience has been an interesting one for Loghen Schnetzer.

Schnetzer, a former all-stater at Fort Dodge Senior High, and the Iowa Central softball team have spent the early portion of the schedule traveling to different states to play due to the weather conditions in Iowa. That, though, is just part of the change for Schnetzer this year.

Along with helping the 16th-ranked Tritons to a 4-6 record on the diamond, she is working towards her nursing degree in hopes of becoming a surgical nurse in the near future.

"Nursing is a lot of work so I definitely focus on school," Schnetzer said. "Virtual is hard because you can't learn hands-on techniques as easy as you would if in person."

In addition to dealing with the new guidelines of COVID-19, Schnetzer is adjusting to the college game. She is currently hitting .444 with three home runs, 10 RBI, 12 hits, two doubles, a triple and nine runs scored. 

After starting the season with just one hit in the first four games, Schnetzer has caught fire, going 11-for-16 over the last five with all three of her homers and 10 RBI. 

"It feels great," she said. "Being outside playing softball in 60-degree weather is unbeatable."

In the field at first base, Schnetzer has a .949 fielding percentage with just two errors in almost 40 chances over nine games. 

The chances to play in Texas, the Rochester Dome in Minnesota, Kansas and soon Arkansas also offers the opportunity for team growth.

"Traveling is definitely fun," Schnetzer said. "A lot of bonding with my teammates and always cracking jokes is the best part. It's also been fun seeing the different towns and states. 

"It's quite the experience."

-By Dana Becker