Varsity softball is back and ready to swing into action. With the graduates gone and the new seniors stepping up to the plate, the team hopes to have a good season.

“Last season we did okay,” senior third baseman Kayla Ruiz said. “I mean we started off pretty slow, but as the season progressed we got pretty good. Hopefully this season will be better.”

The girls are getting in shape this seasons by running, pitching, and scrimmaging against either themselves or the JV team. Their practices are everyday after school and sometimes on Saturdays. Some players, like Austine Pauley, practice in their free time.

“Practicing hard is what makes our team better,” Pauley said. “I have a lot of confidence in our team this year because we have a strong defense and our team works well together.

Last year the teams biggest competitor was Troy. This year the team feels like they have a better chance, since Troy doesn’t have their best pitcher anymore. They’re preparing for this game by scrimmaging against each other and working on their back hands and hitting outside pitches.

“We are preparing really hard for this game,” Ruiz said. “Lots of practicing, drills, and working on the things we struggle on as an individual and a team.”

Their hard work has paid off so far. On August 25, the girls had their first game against Ritnour. The final score was 7-1. The team hopes to keep playing at that level for the rest of the year.

“This season I am most excited for pushing myself and my teammates to a higher level by being a leader and setting an example,” Pauley said.