This season, the softball team has played nine games and has more to come. Preparations such as practicing different situations that may occur on field and working on things specific to the team they play are all activities that the team does to practice for the games. 

“We’ve been working hard in practice just trying to get better,” junior Hayden Price said. “Each day is a building process and we’re working to be as prepared as we can for district games. One of my main goals is really to just have fun and enjoy playing, but I also want to get better each day and hold myself accountable for everything I do on and off the field.”

*As the season continues throughout the spring, the players set goals for themselves and work hard. 

“My personal goal is not to be selfish and to help and teach my teammates,” junior Alivia Robinson said. “[I want] to help them become better mentally and physically in this long [season].”

With softball being a sport that relies heavily on teamwork, the players have done activities and taken field trips together to become closer with each other and improve their communication.

“I bond with my team by hanging out outside of practice and having team dinners,” Price said. “Over spring break we all went out and played pickleball together for team bonding which was really fun. We all have bad games but overall we perform pretty well together.” 

For Robinson, the softball team stands out because of their close relationships and bonds.

“I believe that our connection to one another sets us apart,” Robinson said. “Whether having three years with the seniors or just meeting these new freshmen, our bonds [with each other] grow stronger and deeper as the season picks up.”

According to Price and Robinson, their coaches have played a big role in this season and have contributed to the players’ performance.  

“My coaches have helped me become a better player and learn more about the game,” Price said. “They’ve helped me become a better teammate by trusting me to step up and be a leader.”

Challenges such as injuries, bad wind, losses and different levels of experience within the team have made it difficult for them to perform perfectly. 

“One thing I do to stay motivated is focusing on the positives and what we can do better,” Price said. “Setbacks are inevitable, and when they happen I just try to think about how I can overcome them.”

As student athletes, it can also be difficult to juggle between schoolwork and athletics. For Robinson, it is especially difficult with her being involved in basketball, track and softball. 

“High school ball can get very challenging mentally,” Robinson said. “I am at school before and after school everyday to practice and I spend all of my school time working hard. My future not only includes college softball but school as well and I need to be prepared for it.” 

With the season almost halfway through, there are many achievements to come, but for Price there are still things to be pleased about. 

“I am most proud of making varsity my first year back,” Price said. “This was something that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do because I took a break from softball for a few years, and I felt really proud of myself when I was told that I was going to be playing varsity.” 

Since she was five years old, Robinson has stayed dedicated to softball. This led to her commitment to UTPB after many school visits and tours.

“When I got my offer it took me a very long time to decide where,” Robinson said. “Softball has always been my dream for college, and UTPB is my fit. When [I committed] I knew I was going to be loved and supported.”