On Tuesday, April 5, the varsity girls softball team beat Maine West 10-0 at Duke Child’s Softball Field.

The team won by the slaughter rule, also known as the mercy rule, in the 5th inning.

Senior Shayle Areson said, “We had a total of 13 hits, one error, and ten runs. We all came ready to hit the ball, and we did.”

The varsity team is made up of 15 girls: one sophomore, six juniors, and eight seniors. Seniors Shayle Arenson, Ellie Head, and Cindy Secaras are the team captains this year.

Junior infielder Sophia Holt said that the cold weather Tuesday night presented a challenge. “[The cold] makes throwing the ball and hitting more painful, but our team managed to work through it really well. We were very focused on the field, and there was great energy on the bench.”

Despite the weather, the girls managed to dominate. Secaras was pleased with how the team performed.

“Overall, I think we played extremely well. Our defense was solid and our hitting was exceptional. We strung our hits together very nicely and played as a cohesive group throughout the whole game.”

Head coach John Cadwell, alongside assistant coaches Dave Snyder and Alan Pavelik, said that he hoped the girls walk onto the field with a sense of pride and determination to achieve the goals they had established for themselves.

Junior infielder Gillian Gossard followed that sentiment, saying, “My expectations were that no matter the team we play, I should always play my hardest.”

Cadwell also mentioned the importance of team dynamic. “On the varsity level, there’s always interest in wins and losses. But for us at this point in the season, it’s about team play and team dynamic, which will serve us well for the whole year.”

With the season beginning at the end of February and practice six days a week, the girls have hardly had any breaks. They typically play two to three games during the school week, and on Saturdays they normally have a double header), totaling close to five games a week.

Even during spring break, the team was working hard and competing. They left Saturday morning for a trip to Peoria and returned Tuesday night. The team had practice every day and played four games against teams ranked in the top ten of the state.

Cadwell admitted that although the team got off to a rocky start over break, the girls have really started to come together as a team.

“The reason we take the spring trip is to work on team chemistry, bonding, and pulling together this group of athletes so they really start to care about each other and think about others on the team,” Cadwell said. “I think that has started to kick in now, and the girls are feeling really close to each other.”

Head agreed with Cadwell, as she expressed her hopes on how her teammates would remember her after she graduates:  “I hope my teammates remember me as a great teammate and leader who showed her dedication to the team through hard work.”

According to Cadwell, the team plays a very competitive schedule. Their record is an even four wins to four losses after playing some of the most challenging schools in the state.

Last year, the team made it to the sectional championship, but lost 6-4 against Stevenson. In order to get back to the sectional championship game, Cadwell said that the girls need to continue to be supportive and put in the extra effort necessary to maintain their success.

“It’s going to require some resilience on their part because we’re going to face some teams that are heavily favored and talented, but I think we can compete with them,” Caldwell said.

Junior pitcher Alicia Bagan has high expectations for the rest of their season. “Already we have made such an improvement since we started this season and we are really starting to work as a team. Our team has the motivation to work hard and the determination to be the best we can be. We won’t stop working until we make it to the top.”