Starting the season with seven losses and not a single win is not the streak any softball team would ask for. But on Friday night everything changed, and made a turn for the best.
Friday night was the varsity softball game against Blue Valley, one of the Timberwolves biggest rivals. After seven losses in a row, the team really felt the need to step up their game.
“Some of the team, including myself, went to Blue Valley before Southwest was built, so naturally we really wanted to win,” senior Rachel Evans said.
The team lost the first game 9-6, but that just motivated them to try harder the next game. At the bottom of the 7th inning, they had some bad luck and brought them down to tie the score 10-10.
“We rallied together and cheered each other on,” Evans said. “When we would get down, we would pick each other back up.”
But in the top of the 8th, the Timberwolves were able to get runners in scoring position and with one hit they were able to bring in the run and pull them ahead.
Southwest had an amazing win that night, but getting to that point wasn’t easy.
“Colleen Weynand had to move up from the outfield to the infield after our shortstop got a concussion, it was a big deal that she stepped up for the team,” senior Haley Hansel said.
The team also had a rough beginning. Before they started playing games, they didn’t have the best practice environment.
“We started practicing the first week of March and unfortunately we had to be inside for a long time, which didn’t help us,” Evans said.
But through every obstacle the team has overcome, they are staying strong.
“We started out a little slow, but we have come together and we are really playing well,” Evans said. “With a victory against our rival, Blue Valley High, we are really hopeful for the future.”
The next game is Tuesday at Basehor, and the next home game is on Thursday against Gardner Edgerton.
“We have a lot of talent and leadership on the team, and it’s starting to show,” Evans said.
The win on Friday against Blue Valley is just the beginning of many more anticipated wins. They hope to win both their games next week as well, and make this a great season.