Stepping into the batter’s box for the first time in nearly two years, Danica Mercado’s nerves would not go away.
It would seem Mercado, a redshirt sophomore on the Oregon softball team, would be past the feeling of nerves before an at-bat. She’d been playing softball her whole life. But as she went through her pre-pitch routine against Cal Poly in the season opener, Mercado could not stop shaking.
“It was really good to just get the nerves out so I can focus on playing again,” Mercado said. “Just understanding that every day is one day at a time and at any time the game can be taken away from you — you have to always enjoy it.”
Entering the beginning of the 2014 softball season, Mercado was slated to start at second base. She was unable to fulfill that role when she broke her left leg during preseason a practice and was forced to redshirt and watch while Oregon made the women’s College World Series.
“Sitting out allowed me to take on a different perspective of the game,” Mercado said. “Watching from the outside allowed me to see how coaches worked — it allowed me to understand and see the game from a different point of view and grow as a player.”
Since her return, Mercado has exceeded expectations. Through the first 18 games of the season, Mercado has regained her role as the starting second baseman and is batting anywhere from No. 2 to No. 8 in Oregon’s lineup. She has started 17 of those 18 games and is hitting .378 and her three home runs are second on the team.
“She’s had a few defensive miscues but what I like about her is that she hasn’t let that affect her offensive game,” Oregon head coach Mike White said. “It’s great to see her maturing still and continuing to improve every week.”
Defensively, Mercado acknowledged that she is a little rusty from the time off, but knows that repetition is the only way she’s going to improve. She’s currently posting a .929 fielding percentage with four errors in 56 chances.
One of the biggest driving forces for her rising confidence has been the support of her coaches and teammates.
During the year away from softball, Mercado watched as her teammates consistently progressed on the field. Once she returned, the direction and support from shortstop Nikki Udria and catcher Janelle Lindvall allowed her to get comfortable quickly.
Now, she’s just enjoying playing the game that she loves.
The one moment that stands out for her thus far this season was when she hit her first career home run against Nevada. Mercado lined up a 1-1 fastball and powered it straight over the centerfield fence during the seventh inning of Oregon’s 12-8 victory.
“I was so excited but (Hailey) Decker was like, ‘you sprinted around those bases so fast that we couldn’t get out there to celebrate with you,’” Mercado said. “It was my first ever home run so it felt really good.”
 Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka