Softball team overcomes 2021 season struggles

With no active playing seniors on the team, the softball underclassmen have had to step up their game and their leadership this season.

“It is weird having no seniors, and there’s only two upperclassmen,” junior Brianna Crowley said,“the underclassmen that we have had to step up and ‘be older’.”

Even through the challenge of just having one senior according to Crowley the team has been able to get along well this year.

“We’re all really good friends and we talk and joke around all the time,” Crowley said.

According to sophomore Makenna Stamps, the environment of the team is positive and encouraging, which helps the team play better as a whole

In 2020, COVID-19 cut the softball season short which was a big letdown for the team.

“I am just happy and excited that we are getting to play and getting to have a season since last year was cut short,” Stamps said.

With 13 games played and a record of 4-7, the team is now entering the conference play of the season. 

According to Crowley, their biggest challenge this season has been pitching. 

“Our number one pitcher quit right before the season started, and so now we don’t really have any players that are primarily pitchers,” Crowley said.

Beyond the struggles of the season, the players on the team have overcome adversity and grown together as a team.

 “We are having fun and learning how to play together as a team,” Stamps said.

Playing Bentonville West is something that Crowley is looking forward to.

“We played them a pretty good game last time we played them,” Crowley said, “and I think the next time we play them, we will beat them.”

According to Crowley getting the full season this year has left the opportunity to improve and compete with different schools.

“Each team we play brings a different skill level which allows us to grow as a team and as individual players,” Crowley said.