DECATUR — Mary Sanders said the biggest adjustment to college was the amount of workouts her coaches put her through.

But since the former ACCS pitcher is currently 12-2 in her freshman year at East Central Community College, those intense workouts seems to have paid off.

Sanders, whose team is now 31-14 heading into the Mississippi Association of Community & Junior Colleges state tournament, said pitching at the collegiate level is much different than it was in high school.

“In high school, we never had to do any workouts, and in college all we do is lift, run and practice all the time,” Sanders said.

This took a toll on her body last fall when workouts started for Sanders, she said.

“I was sore all the time, and we live on the second floor (of the dorm), so having to walk up and down the stairs all the time while being so sore, it wasn’t fun,” Sanders said. “There’s no elevator.”

In the long run, though, Sanders said the intensity of her workouts is one of the main reasons she’s done so well in her inaugural season at ECCC.

“In high school, when we wouldn’t work out, I’d be tired after four or five innings,” Sanders said. “It took my body like two months to adjust, but now I can pitch a whole game and not be tired.”

Sanders, who features a fastball, changeup, curveball, rise and drop ball in her arsenal, said she relies on her curve as a strikeout pitch. As important as the strikeout is, Sanders said she understands the need to rely on her defense.

“My offense helps me out most days, but sometimes I’m having to hold down the fort in a low-scoring game,” Sanders said. “You just have to depend on your defense. I know no matter what pitch I throw, my defense is going to be there.”

It also helps that Sanders was one of three incoming freshman pitchers, which forced her to compete for her spot as a starter.

“There’s that much more incentive to do well,” Sanders said.

Sanders said it also helps to be challenged by the level of competition, since junior college players are much better than what she faced in high school.

“You’re not just playing against people from your area, you’re playing against people from all over,” Sanders said. “These are people that are all good. It helps me, because you have to be able to keep the ball low. You can’t just throw it up there and let them hit it.”

Outside of softball, Sanders said the biggest adjustment to college was dorm life. But she said her roommate, Dakota Vowell, who plays third base for the team, helped her make the adjustment.

“I met her at orientation, and she made it a lot easier,” Sanders said. “She knew a bunch of people from there, and I didn’t know anyone. She’s like my best friend now.”

Sanders said she talks to former ACCS teammate Kaitlan Melton from time to time. With Melton currently at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Sanders said it’s a weird feeling that the two are now at rival schools.

“We talk every now and then, and when we played them, I was able to tell our team about how quick she is and to look out for her and stuff, but it’s different,” Sanders said.

ECCC will play Thursday and Friday in the MACJC state tournament.