Ladycat softball team starts with 6-0 district record
Junior Jill Liles pitches in the Ladycats’ 11-8 win against Petrolia.
April 7, 2022
The varsity softball season has started with an 11-6 iverall and 6-0 district record. This year’s team has five newcomers as well as four seniors.
Freshman Valerie Rater has only played on travel teams. She said this year is a different and enjoyable experience.
“High school softball is something I’ve always looked forward to,” Rater said. “I like playing with my team, and I’m excited to see how far we can go.”
Senior Mallory Maxwell said she appreciates the age diversity in the team.
“We have new freshmen that know how to play,” Maxwell said. “But we also have a lot of seniors that can lead the team. I really look forward to making it farther in the playoffs than we did last year. I definitely think we have the ability to.”
Sophomore Emma Gray said she sees defensive strengths and offensive potential in this year’s team.
“We have a pretty strong defense and can really stop anything that comes our way,” Gray said. “I do feel like the team struggles some on offense, but I also feel like we’re improving with every game we play.
”
Senior Aspyn Huseman, now recovered from an injury that prevented her from playing last year, said she is anticipating a good season.
“My personal goal is to give it my all in every play, but I especially want our team to win district and make a long run in playoffs,” Huseman said. “Though we are a strong team and we do have a bond, there is still a divide between upper classmen and under classman, which can be a weakness.”
According to Maxwell, every one is excited to play this year.
“I can tell that my teammates love playing and is always having fun and I view that as a strength.,” Maxwell said. “We also have someone strong in every single position, and our batting lineup is strong all the way through.”
Head softball coach Mallory Mooney has noticed differences from last year to this year.
“We have a good mix of upper and lower classmen,” Mooney said. “We have a lot more power in the lineup mixed with good speed. I’ve also assigned the team ‘families’ with upper and lower classmen for bonding purposes.”
Mooney said the teams works on improving everyday.
“We continue to work on the little things in practice,” Mooney said. “I take notes on what we struggle with at a game, and we work on it the next day at practice. We have a powerful lineup with speedy base runners and two solid pitchers that I can trust to start in any big game. We can improve on our in-game communication, and we can always improve on working together better as a whole unit.”