Softball team makes history, but larger goal remains
Team rattles off eight straight wins to close out regular season
Dylan Limas, Editor-In-Chief
April 25, 2019
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Standing at attention for the National Anthem, senior Alyx Salinas and freshman Harley Elam prepare for the game against Gregory-Portland on March 5. The Lady Hornets won 8-3
For the first time ever, the softball team has won the District 29-5A title. They finish the regular season with a record of 22-7-1 (10-1 in district).
In their most recent game, they defeated rival Calallen at home, 4-1. The team came out victorious thanks to a productive third inning which saw the team push three runs across the plate.
Coach Angela Scott said that the team got off to a slow start, but have picked things up as the season has progressed.
“Tournament season is a time for us to figure out where we need to make adjustments,” Scott said. “I feel like we’re peaking at an important time of the year.”
The team has very few weak spots and plays as a cohesive unit Scott said that the team is strong in the circle and their bats have come to life.
“When one person can’t manage to strum up a hit, the others always have their back to get the hits that we need.”
According to Scott, the strongest area of this team is how they play together as a defense. Junior Jadyn Wilson has led the charge with a 1.23 ERA, which it the third lowest in district. Alongside Wilson, senior Kayci Spittler has a team-best 181 strikeouts.
Throughout the season, there have been many games that have came down to the wire. Scott said that her most memorable game to this point was when the team got their first win against Calallen on March 26. The team was down 4-1, but came back to win in 10 innings.
“There didn’t look like there was a lot of hope, but everyone contributed to that win,” Scott said.
Scott described some of the qualities that contribute to the team’s success.
“No matter what comes up, they just need keep playing together as a team, fighting through adversity and having each other’s backs,” she said.
Senior first baseman Dakota Miller said that the team’s bond became stronger during their hunt for a district championship, and now have their sights on going deep in the playoffs. Like most players, Miller is constantly working on areas of her game that she can improve in.
“Hitting is where I struggled in the beginning of the year,” Miller said. “I was in a slump the first three games, but now I can hit the ball and get the team going.”
After this season, Miller will continue her softball career at
Highland Community College.
Miller said that her favorite part of softball is being with her team, as she’s been playing with most of them for years. She went in to say that playing with them takes her mind off of other things that are happening.
One of the team’s most recent games that helped them claim the district title was their come from behind win at home against Tuloso-Midway. After starting the 7th inning down 2-0, the team rallied and won in walkoff fashion as senior Alyx Salinas drove in the game-winning run with an RBI single.
The team will play Victoria West at the Victoria Youth Sport Complex in a winner-take-all game on April 25. Miller said that there are a few things the team must do in order to build on their success.
“We need to play hard, practice hard and not let drama get into our heads,” Miller said. “We just have to play like we did against Calallen, which is strong defense and strong hitting.”
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