For previous years, the Leesville varsity softball team has set a goal to win a second round game in the state tournament and this year, the goal still applied.
Sadly, the team lost 9-1 to Fuquay-Varina on May 16 to end their season before they had the chance to enter the second round.
The girls ended their season 10-4-0 in the Cap-8 and 14-8-0 overall.
“They [Fuquay-Varina] were a good team,” said Ally Astorino, sophomore and first baseman. “We played the hardest we could and they still beat us. We can’t do anything about that.”
This year, Leesville only had one softball team; not enough girls tried out to make two full teams, which resulted in just a varsity team. This also provided the girls with a much closer-knit team.
“Many of the newer players really stepped up as the season went on,” said Mrs.Tadlock, softball coach.
They set three very important, but reachable, team goals. “Our goals were to finish in the top two of the conference, which secures us home field advantage for the playoffs- we finished second,” said Tadlock. “Our next goal was to make it to the second round or beyond in the playoffs and we did that. Our other goal is to have 3.2 GPA or higher as a team and we are on track to meet that goal.”
Next year, Coach Tadlock and the remaining teammates hope to get as far, and hopefully further, than they did this year. Said Tadlock: “I also want to help whoever is on the team to grow as a player and a person on and off the field.”
“I am proud of the team for making it to second round and the experience will only help us in the future,” said Tadlock.
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