Seniors Bring Team Together
Softball Ends Season As Conference Champs
October 27, 2021
The 2021 school year has brought about change for the varsity softball team. After finishing 7-9 in a short season last year, the team switched it up and finished 20-7, winning the conference championship and getting the No. 1 seed in the district playoffs.
The team was able to succeed due to their work ethic, drive and overall enjoyment of the game, according to lead coach Matt Schweitzer. One of the most fun groups I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. How much fun they had, how much excitement they brought, always wanting to be out there and always working hard and continually adapting, and that’s kind of what you need to do to be successful. — Coach Matt Schweitzer
“The credit goes all to them,” Schweitzer said. “One of the most fun groups I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. How much fun they had, how much excitement they brought, always wanting to be out there and always working hard and continually adapting, and that’s kind of what you need to do to be successful.”
The team was full of returning players from the previous year, which helped with the chemistry.
“Because it’s been a consistent team from last year going into this year, we’ve all gotten to mesh well together,” senior Shea Martin said. “We all understand how each other plays, and so it is easier from a communication aspect.”
Another key to their success was the leadership by the seniors and how they helped all the younger players.
“It’s important because they don’t necessarily understand the environment of being in a high-school sport,” Martin said. “So, it is important to teach them how things work, the respect aspect of everything and just being a team.”
The strong leadership by this year’s seniors helped the team come together.
“In our past, we’ve had issues with seniors and seniority,” junior Hailey Herman said. “But this year, the seniors are really nice, so it helped all the grade levels come together.”
The underclassmen have come together to help give the eight seniors a winning final sendoff, which allowed them to end their high-school softball careers on a high note.
“It’s their senior year,” Becker said. “We want them to remember a good season, and we want them to remember ending off their high-school softball career as a champion.”
An additional key was the environment the coaches helped create.
“It’s been a very positive atmosphere this year,” said Martin. “Our coaches, it’s not them getting on us about messing up, it’s them getting onto us about messing up and putting our heads down.”
The season ended in the district semifinals with a 6-7 loss to St. Joseph Central High School Oct. 14, but they look to carry the momentum into next year.
“Continue to feed off of the success that we had this year,” said Schweitzer. “Just what they’ve learned and continuing to get better.”
