With two wins over both SMW and SME, the softball team became the 6A Regional Champions. Sophomore Carly Schniderson pitched two shutouts against both teams with scores of 7-0 against SMW and 4-0 against SME.
The team started strong in the first game scoring five runs within the first inning. They kept the momentum up with solid defense and the addition of two runs over the remaining innings. From there, the team finished the championship game with a triple to start the game by senior Madison Jones (who scored later that inning), further defensive execution, and a series of hits that added three additional runs to the board.
The highlights of the night took place in the seventh inning against SME. After SME’s leadoff got on first from a base hit, and Schniderson hit the second batter: Jones caught a line drive and got the leadoff out at second with a quick throw to sophomore Rachel Chalupa. The double play shifted the momentum in the Huskies favor, and two pitches later, senior Sloane Brady caught a long line drive to right field to end the game and win the championship.
“We succeeded because we all work really well together and we care about winning and want to go further than regionals,” Jones said. “We are a lot stronger both defensively and offensively… [Winning the regional championship] is crazy. I am so excited, especially because it is my senior year.”
According to head coach Kim White, the games could not have gone better. The team came out and set a tone with both their attitude and the way they played, White said. The defense was flawless, White said, the Huskies made some big plays that kept momentum going and spirits high.
“I think the biggest reason for our success is that the team plays for each other,” White said. “They really have just come together and not cared about who got the credit. They’ve done it for each other. It hasn’t been about one individual’s statistics. It’s been about the team … I think that’s the difference. The team that is on the field this year is the same team that was on the field last year, but this time they play for each other and not for themselves.”
Freshman Taryn Thomas said winning the game was awesome, and she knows how much it meant to the five seniors on the team. According to Thomas, the senior leadership on the team this year has been a crucial part to the season.
“[The seniors] definitely support the underclassmen,” Thomas said. “They pick us up whenever we make a mistake or something. Whenever I’m at third (base), I can always hear Madison Jones saying, ‘Nice and easy, you’ve got time.’ Things like that to help me think through plays and preform better.”
White agrees with Thomas, the seniors have been valuable assets to the team this year and key parts to the amount of success the team has had.
“We’ve got five seniors that have worked their tails off, been great leaders, and done everything that we’ve asked. I wanted it for them more than anything else. The other girls, I’m obviously excited for them, but the fact that the seniors have done everything right this season makes it huge.”
Both White and Jones agree, the team has to work on their offense for the state tournament. According to Jones, consecutive hitting needs to be improved so not as many runners are left stranded on bases at the end of an inning
“I think our biggest thing is to keep hitting the ball,” White said. “The teams we will play at state will be tough. The best get there. It’s the first time we’ve been there in a long time… I don’t even know if I can find the words [to describe how winning felt]. I’m just so happy for them. Go Huskies. We are state bound.”
The state tournament takes place next week at BVW Thursday and Friday. For more information on times, location, and opponents: check the KSHSAA website
