Softball has endured a streak of losing seasons since the 2020-2021 season. This season ended 3-20 overall, and 2-16 in region play. They placed sixth in the region out of seven teams. 

Despite the losses, the players and coaches say they still create a bond and practice and play with a won’t give up attitude. They adjust strategies, set individual and team goals, and keep going. 

Head Coach, Brandon Durden explained that what they stress to their athletes the practices before games is vital and is something coaches continuously work to improve on to better there game performance. Compared to last season, the team said that they had high hopes for this season, with all the extra conditioning they had done over the summer and athletes dialed in on their nutrition.

Pep talks and words of encouragement are crucial after continual losses. Prioritizing positive self talk is something that the softball team takes pride in.

“It’s important to talk about mistakes we made as a team and remind the kids that they are one little way from a big win,” Coach Durden said.  

With every sports team, winning games and tournaments is always a goal every team hopes to accomplish. However, its the goals that are set for the individuals and the team to grow that also teach life lessons.

“I hope the girls learn how to work together productively as a team, this is life skills that are crucial later in life. As long as they are good people when they leave this sport, I couldn’t be more proud. However, me as a coach, I hope to get better at what I do and fully understand each and every single one of my players by building relationships with them. This helps them be more coachable,” Durden said. 

Improvements are made when not only the coaches works towards goals, but the players as well. 

“My individual goal is to have a overall better mentality, and my goal as a team is to stay locked in the whole time during games and not get distracted. I really think this will help us not only win games but become better athletes,” Gracyn Craig (10) said.

Prioritizing proper nutrition and hydration was another focus of the season they can carry with them to next year in preparation of becoming more successful athletes. This will continue to be practiced in the off season. 

“I recommend my players to hydrate with either Gatorade, Powerade, or Body Armor the night before games. The typical rule is to eat pasta, and load up on carbs,” Coach Durden sai