The Westside softball team traveled to Norfolk Monday afternoon to play the Panthers on their senior night. Last season Norfolk knocked the girls out of the state, and took the win of their district. But this season the girls fought until the very last inning beating Norfolk 10-7. 

This game was really important to all of the girls, as they wanted to take the win. Coach Leapley talks about how much of a game changer this win was to the girls. 

“The Norfolk game was a hard-fought game. We pulled through. The team had a lot of emotions going into the game, but we didn’t forget what happened to us last year. The bus ride up had a few words being said. I thought to myself that this was a good sign. They are focused and ready to go,” Leapley said. 

Senior outfielder Amaya Labs really wanted to win against the Panthers, as this was one of her main goals for this season. 

“Winning against Norfolk was really important to me because they beat us three times last year, and I don’t like losing that many times to the same team, and we needed to get our lick back,” Labs said.

Junior shortstop Emma Kauffman had a big impact in the field and on the offensive side of things. Kauffman went 3-5 at the plate with a two-run homerun. Kauffman talks about how it felt to take back the lead during the game. 

“When I was stepping up to the plate I wasn’t looking for a homerun, just to make solid contact. It was great to take back the lead and really exciting for it to be a homerun,” Kauffman said.

Leapley coached the girls to have better and lengthy at bats. The girls turned on the bats during the game, as they collected 17 hits and had a .583 on base percentage. Leapley talks about how important it was to have a strong offense during the game. 

“We are starting to hit as a team from top to bottom. It’s just not one or two players. We are getting 8-15 hits a game lately. Finally, it is great to see,” Leapley said.

Labs also had a good game, she went 4-5 at the plate against the 3 different Norfolk pitchers. She explains her mindset, and what she has done to be successful at the plate. 

“I knew that Norfolk struggled defensively, so my mindset was to just hit the ball hard to get the ball past them,” Labs said. 

Kauffman also talks about her mindset, as she held it down at the plate and in the field. Leading as a sophomore shortstop her role is big in the field. 

“I felt I lead the defense well with communication and when a teammate makes an error to help them from getting in their head,” Kauffman said. 

Leapley is extremely proud of the girls for holding their ground after losing the lead in the first inning. They improved and knew what they had to do after having a rough first inning. 

“​​The team had that look—not this time. After that rough inning, they all came in, saying we were fine.  I told them we got this. I told you it was going to be a battle. I was so proud of them for battling all night long,” Leapley said.

On Monday it was senior night for the Panthers. The team has been placed in three senior night games this season, but that didn’t stop them from doing their best on the field.  Labs explains how the girls have done their best during the tough games.

“I think when teams pick us for their senior night they think that they are going to blow us out, beat us by a lot but that isn’t what happens,” Labs said. “It makes us more determined to win, because they think less of us.” 

The season is running to end as the girls only have one regular season game left. The girls want to end with a winning record, Leapley wants to do the very best in the last they have of the season. 

“I want to keep growing as a team. We have been through a lot this year, and the team is starting to find itself. I couldn’t be prouder of them” Leapley said. 

Labs season as a senior is almost over, but she wants to make the best of it. 

“We finished the regular season with a good win against Millard South, but going into districts we are going to be the underdog, and I would really like to upset one of the top seven wins to make it to state.” Labs said.  

Kauffman is also sad to see the season end, but is excited to see what is to come for the future. 

“My goals for the rest of the season are to improve as a team. I feel good going into districts because our team is finally coming together,” Kauffman said.

As districts are right around the corner Coach Leapley is preparing the girls for what is to come. Both mentally and physically preparing them.

“The team knows what it takes. We have been here before, and they have to act like we have. It’s a new season starting in districts,” Leapley said. 

They have a tough road ahead in districts, but the girls will do their best.