As the softball team moves on to playoffs, they need to get ready for whatever comes their way. From getting into the right mindset, to remembering what went well this year they feel they are ready. After finishing first in division one with a 17-2 record they are going into the playoffs as the “team to beat.”
“I think the season went so well because the whole team came in with the same goal. It also helps that we get along so well,” senior captain Zoey Nelson said.
Along with having the same goals and getting close with one another, success is also about knowing the amount of talent you have on your team.
“I think we have a really good squad this year, we have a lot of talent on the team,” sophomore team member Jen Raza said.
One factor to having such a great season is the actual game and specific actions they take to make sure they win according to sophomore team Ginny Flaherty.
“Our pitchers have been dominant in the circle with strong steed and spin,” Flaherty said. “We’ve added depth to our offensive game and we are quick on the base paths. We are really coming together as a team and it shows.”
As playoffs are coming up the team knows what they need to change and what should stay the same going forward.
“Definitely staying loose, we try to have fun and not take the game too seriously, but knowing when it’s time to play is very important,” Nelson said.
Individually setting goals as well as setting them as a team is important. Between practicing like you’re in a game and taking care of yourself.
“My plans are to practice with my team and on my own to work on specific game scenarios I know I will be facing,” Flaherty said. “It’s important to hydrate, nourish, and get plenty of rest so I can perform to my full potential on game day.”
Since ending the regular season, the girls have been reflecting on some of their favorite parts of the year.
“My favorite memory this season has to be all the team dinners, but more specifically when Addie Browning fell down the stairs with her toy horse,” Raza said.
Another memory Nelson has were the Sunday dinners as they were “a great way to come together and bond as a team.”
Before the season started, they knew what teams were going to be a battle.” When they played Concord, the reigning champions of last year they beat them 3-0.
“They are such a good team and we have been close to beating them for the past couple of years but couldn’t finish it in the end,” Nelson said. “So getting that win was very special.
Flaherty also agreed that her favorite game was against Concord as it showed that they “played together as a team and shutout last year’s state champions, Concord. We proved ourselves that we are a contender.”
As her senior year is coming to an end with endless memories to share, Nelson said she is sad to be “leaving this team.”
“But I know they will continue the legacy,” Nelson said.
