The lady Wolverines got down to the business of softball and were prepared for the season kick-off, which happened place on Saturday, March 9, in Lynden against the Lynden Christian Lynxes. The team won its first game 13-8.
“This team knows what they need to do and they really want to work hard,” said coach Kirk Holt.
Holt said he sees a lot of talent and potential rising stars in the team. That should help them achieve the ultimate goal for the season, going to state and placing higher than eighth — the rank they have made for the last five years.
Athletes he expects to see incredible plays from include returning seniors Liz Cruz and Bailey Lambright and sophomore Bristol Halverson.
“[Freshman] LA Perkins will be starting for us at first base and she will also be a fun one to watch,” Holt said.
He and Brian Lambright have been coaching the team for six years, and he said one thing he has realized is the best way to get the players to understand is to understand each player and how their mind works.
“You have to reach their heart and figure out how to explain things in a way that they will understand,” Holt said.
Seniors Thea Seitz, Jayna Ott and Ava Hoffman have been playing softball since elementary school.
“I love the atmosphere, the intensity,” Hoffman said. “No other sport has that.”
Seitz added that she loves the excitement of the game.
“There can always be a last minute play that changes the entire game,” she said. A last minute home run, for example, could turn the losing team into the winners.
Ott said her personal goal for the season is focusing on becoming a solid hitter. Seitz also is working on hitting, her goal is to hit one out of the park.
Hoffman’s personal goal is to continue improving her skills, and the goal she has for the team echos her coach, to rank higher in the state than they have the last five years.
The first seven games are non-league games and are the Wolverines top competition, Holt explained.
“It will be exciting to see how the girls will react to the challenge, and how they play,” he added.
The non-league team to beat is Orcas, according to the seniors.
“We went to state with them last year, and they have a great pitcher,” Seitz said.
Hoffman added that PE Ell will also be an important team to keep an eye on. They played a very close game with them at state last year she said and hopes to beat them this time around.
Whatever the outcome, Ott said, “This will be my last season, so I am trying to cherish every moment.”
The Wolverines face off against Mount Baker at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16, for the first home game of the season.
