by MaKenzie Hilling,
Student Life editor
The following story was written by a student on the staff of The Jaguar Times as part of Hilliard Bradley High School’s Journalism Production course.
As spring sports start up conditioning and practice, many athletes are excited for their first season after the Covid quarantine. Spring sport seniors are especially excited because they’re getting to play their last season. The softball team at Bradley has four senior players, two of which have played since their freshman year. These seniors being: Kelly Conley, Kenna Mcclelland, Laura Powell, and MaKenzie Hilling. There are key leaders in this senior class that have been helping prepare the team for the 2021 season. A big freshman class is fighting for a varsity spot, and many returners have been working since the beginning of the year to make a run for the tournament.
After losing three starters from the 2020 class, Coach Moody, the head softball coach, is looking for replacements in the upcoming generation. Coach says, “I believe we have a very talented and enthusiastic group of underclassmen ready to fill any spots.” Having only five players with varsity game experience, he is looking for “hustle, along with coachability and an understanding of TEAM attitude.” Although there are many uncertainties heading into season, Coach Moody is still “excited because our softball program has a number of young people who had their season taken away from them last year,” but, “they are [still] very excited to get out on the field and play.”
Three year varsity player Laura Powell (12) gives insight on what she thinks this season will look like. She says, “I think we have a good group of girls that are working hard to get ready for our upcoming games.” Laura is a catcher and outfielder for Bradley, starting on varsity her sophomore year. As a senior, Laura has been hyping the girls up for season. She reminds them that, “this is an important season,” and they should all, “stay healthy and be safe.” Although this is her last season at Bradley, Laura is still very invested in preparing this team to have a good season.
Hannah Hashman is a sophomore who earned a spot on varsity last year, even though that season was cancelled. She brings forth many aspects like her speed and her ability to slap hit, which is when a lefty batter walks while swinging in order to get to the base faster. This being her first playable season, she’s “very nervous to play for the first time with this team.” But she tells us, “if [she] keeps having fun, it’ll be a lot more exciting than nerve-racking.” As Hannah prepares for this season she works through her “hitting progressions” and continues to develop her ability at the plate. She concentrates on her skills before the season but she knows that this sport is “supposed to be fun,” and that’s what “[she] focuses on the most when playing.” Hannah has been waiting to make her high school debut, and she will finally be able to this season.
A freshman, Jessica Buck, is just getting into the swing of high school. She loves the game of softball and is ecstatic that the 2021 season is a go, as of right now. In terms of preparation, Jessica goes to a hitting place with her dad about “twice a week.” She, with all the other freshmen, is fighting for a spot on varsity. She explains that, “it’s very scary seeing the upperclassmen during lifting and practice,” Jessica is worried that these upperclassmen “will not be understanding of [her] since it’s [her] first year playing softball.” Although Jessica is nervous, she still knows that softball is a game of failure and that as long as she tries, she “knows [she] did her best.”
Softball season is upon us and the Bradley team is excited. After last season got cancelled, these girls are ready to get back on the field and play some games.