The softball team has big expectations a year after the win at Districts. This year with hopes of a repeat win at Districts and a strong showing at State.
Last year the team suffered a significant loss with the injury of then senior catcher Kelsey Christensen. This year, Coach Pete Theoharis says the team has been staying healthy.
“We had Paige Kennedy battle a back injury, but she bounced back, along with some other girls having some bumps and bruises, but for the most part we have been healthy,” Coach Theoharis said.
A significant number of freshmen have made their way onto the varsity squad.
“Three of them have really asserted themselves into our starting lineup on pretty much a daily basis. A couple of them are players who are put in and out between games, for example, like a pinch runner,” Coach Theoharis said.
One freshman that has stood out this year is Libby Knapple, who broke Christensen’s homerun record of four home runs. Knapple currently sits at five homeruns.
“It felt like an amazing accomplishment to be able to break the homerun record as a freshman,” Knapple said.
There has been a lot of leadership with the returning seniors this year as well.
“Seniors who are returners, yet some who didn’t play as much last year, have asserted themselves and become great leaders in the process,” Coach Theoharis said.
Those seniors feel that their contribution has helped build team unity.
“The other seniors and myself have really stepped up to the plate this season in our leadership, and it has turned out to be a major part of our season this year,” senior Taylor Musgrave said.
Again, it all comes down to the big show, Districts. Coach Theoharis and his Hastings High softball team are working hard to prepare for it.
“We prepare to win it, we go in with a 0-0 record, nobody has proven anything yet, everybody has everything to prove at Districts and our girls know that,” he said.
Coach Theoharis said that the girls have really come together as a team and have supported each other through the season. With that in mind they hope to keep it going into Districts, and hopefully pull out a big win, and soar on into State with lots of confidence, and a strong mind set to bring home a state championship.
