The Westside Softball team sprung back into the season with a 12-11 win against Lincoln East this Monday Sept.9, The girls have had a rough start to the season and are trying to come back from a losing record. Last year they had a winning record of 24-10, which will be hard to top.
Coach Mike Leapley expressed that he has faith in the girls and that they will come back from these tough losses. He believes that the Lincoln East game was a great confidence boost for the girls.
“The game was a big win for the team. We needed lots of energy, and the team had it from the start of the game to the end. We must start stacking up wins and getting back above .500. It was a start and we can’t let up,” Leapley said. “We battled, this was a hard fought win for this team. I told the girls this team will battle you all night long. We all know we have the parts and pieces to win. We are so close.”
The game was high scoring and high pressure throughout all seven innings. Junior Catcher Hadley Hansen talks about the team’s bounce back after a couple tough losses, and how the team kept their cool after every run that scored.
“We all played for each other in the Lincoln East game. It was understood that we needed a win, and everyone played a part in stepping up. The game was very back and forth but I think that the team showed up to win that day,” Hansen said. “Every single person in the dugout understood the common goal, and I‘m very optimistic about games moving forward because of the attitude shifts I witnessed on Monday.”
Lincoln East jumped on the warriors right in the first inning by scoring two runs, but the warriors battled back by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first with a homerun by Junior Manuela Katé.
Katé explains her approach at the plate knowing that she is down by two runs, and that she needs to get a hit to help her team out.
“My approach when going up to the plate is to make solid contact so I can score my teammates in running position. I also account for if it’s less than two outs that moving the runners is also a positive way to help my team,” Katé said.
Hitting was key during the game on monday, they led Lincoln East with 13 hits and 12 runs. The team has been struggling with their hitting lately, but they knew they needed to hit to win the game. Coach Leapley explains how important hitting is to the game of softball, and to the team.
“Hitting is contagious. The team is stacked with hitters, and they all did their jobs during the game,” Leapley said. “The key is cracking the code to the batting order. The team knows to be ready, your number could be called.”
Westside’s starting lineup was mixed during the game, as Coach Leapley knew he needed to make changes as needed. The team has a mix of all classes, with four freshmen, four sophomores, seven juniors and three seniors.
Coach Leapley explains his reasoning for the starting lineup in this specific game, how he knew that when it was important to make changes.
“We all have off days and nights. Our coaches talked between innings about what we see and think. We are a team, We all have to trust each other to make it work,” Leapley said. “I am confident I can put anyone in when needed, and they will come through.”
Keeping the defense clean and making a lot of hitting adjustments has greatly affected the past two wins for the softball team. Katé also explains how the energy in the dugout helps the team.
“The energy in the dugout is always one of the things that without a doubt determines whether you win or lose. Thanks to our home-run chain and my pink rally cowboy hat is what keeps our dugout loud and upbeat during the game,” Katé said “Everyone cheering and chanting at the top of their lungs is also what leaves a positive impact on the atmosphere in our dugout.”
Overall the Lincoln East game was a turning point for the team. They have a tough couple game ahead, but Leapley and the girls are ready to continue to compete the rest of the season.
Catch them in action at papillon landing on Thursday Sept.12 and Friday Sept.13 in the Metro tournament.
