There aren’t many things better for a sports team than having momentum going into the playoffs.  

And the Lancers softball squad have an abundance.

The varsity softball team surged at the end of their season, winning five in a row to close out the regular season. With a 14-5 record, the Lancers are fourth overall in the DI standings, heading into the playoffs. The girls have persevered through the season, with some young players coming up big when it’s been needed.

“A big contributer to our team has been [sophomore] Ila Brown,” said senior right fielder Caylin McNamara. “She really stepped in when Andi Nelson went down with an injury.”

After losing Nelson to an injury, the Lancers needed to fill a vacant hole in the top of the rotation. Ila Brown came in and, according McNamara, “delivered numerous spectacular performances,” leading the Lancers to the top of DI.

And now with Nelson back in the pitching rotation, the Lancers hope their aces can lead them into a deep run in the playoffs.

“I definitely feel that if we play our best, we can get into the final four and win the championship,” McNamara said.

But the girls will have to continue to bring some of the positive attitude that McNamara says has helped the team throughout the season.

“The whole team has always been spirited and has come together really well,” McNamara said. “Our captains [senior Anna Maggio and junior Elizabeth DeVoss] have to be credited with their job of leading us. They have come up huge for us so far.”

One of the biggest moments early in the season for the team was their 14-3 thumping of rival Pinkerton Academy, where the key players stepped up big, with Anna Maggio crushing an inside-the-park home run during the win. This victory propelled the Lady Lancers to then have five straight wins, which jump-started the season early.

More recently, sophomore Sarah Fawcett stepped up big for the girls, as she delivered a walk-off two-run home run in the 10th inning to deliver the Lancers a 3-2 win.