The Girls Varsity Softball team has had a strong season full of growth and teamwork. With players supporting each other and learning from every game, the team has built great chemistry and improved a lot. They are led by experienced seniors and a dedicated coach. The team’s main focus is on their goal of winning a sectional title.
The team is on track to come out on top of the league and win the sectional title.The team’s record is 9-6. They have played great teams so far and hope to continue.
Practice always starts with a jog, followed by stretching and throwing. From there, they move into batting practice and infield/outfield drills. They finish with a chalk talk–going over strategy, reviewing signs, discussing their next opponent, and ending with some positive words about each other.
Practicing together gives the team a chance to build a stronger bond and learn to anticipate each others moves
“We’ve grown so used to playing together that we’re starting to anticipate each other’s moves, which has made us better as a team– and brought us even closer,” Coach Stalteri said.
With being able to anticipate each other it also helps the team to work through tough times. “That’s not a trait that a lot of teams have, and it helps us work through any situation,” Jenna said.
All sports team face obstacles, but the strongest ones overcome them as a group.
“Our biggest challenge at times is slowing the game down–things can move too fast, and we need to stay composed and focused,” Coach Stalteri said.
With every setback is just another way for the team’s bond to become even stronger. Coach Stalteri provides the team with advice every step of the way “staying positive, supporting each other, and trust that mistakes help us grow. Everything we do has a life lesson behind it. My coaching staff and I believe there’s something to learn from softball– and any sport– that extends beyond the game,” Coach Stalteri said.
Many of the girls on the team bring a wealth of softball knowledge, talent, and athleticism to the team. Some of their inspiration comes from family and friends.
“My dad motivates me to keep playing and improving. He always gave me every spare second he had to make sure that I could get the training that I wanted to make me better. He’s been at every game and supported me every step of the way,” Jenna said. “My biggest influence in my softball career is definitely my cousin Sienna /holmes. When I first got put onto Varsity in tenth grade, she was a senior and she always made me feel welcome and always helped me out whenever I needed it. She definitely contributed a lot to the player I am today.”
Abby Briggs started softball around 3rd grade after playing baseball for a few years. It was a great decision to start playing softball, and most of the people I am close to are from softball teams that I have been on.
I’m a catcher! I enjoy being able to back all the pitchers, and build relationships with them,” Abby Briggs said.
“When I was younger I went to Utica University sports camps and I met 2 girls, one on the softball team and one on the hockey team. I always hung out with them and they taught me so much about being an athlete. I have always looked up to them and I still do. They’ve inspired me to play a sport in college and hopefully do the same for a younger player,” Abby said.
When you play a sport for years, you build memories that last a lifetime. For Jenna’s her most memorable moment this season was hitting a walk off double against RFA in the bottom of the seventh inning to win the game, getting Amelia Nimey in to score a run to win the game.
Several of her teammates were quick to express how impressed they were by that play. “It was so awesome and exciting and I was super happy for both of the girls,” Abby said.
The team has shared other memorable moments too.
“I would say I was really proud when we made it to sectional finals last year,” Abby said. “Everyone is super talented and has something special to give to the team. Even though we lost in the finals to Camden, I was super proud of everyone for making it that far and pushing themselves.”
Even with a few setback, the team has shown major improvement from last year to now.
“It’s been a season of building momentum, and we’re in a much better place now than when we started. Our goal was to be playing our best softball at the end of the season, and we’re on the right track,” Coach Stalteri said.
If the team wins their final game on Monday, May 19th, against Whitesboro for the co-championship, they will secure a spot on the road for sectionals.
