‘It kinda of slapped us in the face’

COVID-19 abruptly stopped what was a promising start for the Clemson softball program

John Rittman felt like he was slapped in the face when the NCAA announced last week it was canceling all of its winter and spring championships, including the College Softball World Series, due to COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the globe.

“It was kind of a shock,” the Clemson softball coach said Friday. “There is no easy way of dealing with adversity like this except you know we are all going to grow better, and society is going to be better after we get through this.

“As student athletes and coaches, you know adversity is something we have to overcome, not only on the field, but in life. If…