Running onto the field to warm up for their first game of the season, Varsity Softball fell short of their first win against West Torrance in a tight game 2-4 that went to extra innings. Trying to secure their first win for the season, they reflect on what they need to work on as they head up to San Pedro for their second game of the season.
Junior Abby Luis made big plays for the team to try and help when down 0-1 in the second inning. She showed her effort during the game by being able to read the players showing a high level understanding of the game. Through reading the plays, she is one step ahead allowing her to create big plays for the team.
“These girls would look at me, and then I would know [that] they’re going to bunt. I just know from the way their back goes down to when they are bunting. you just have to sell yourself out there, just diving for plays when we need to, knowing when to drop-step or knowing where you are and talking on the field.” Luis said.
Luis also emphasizes the importance of motivating her teammates and keeping energy high to help the team improve.
“Our coach really motivates us. She comes in and she yells at us a little, just to get us pumped. And then we’ll have our teammates yelling at us and trying to get us hyped. The music really helps to get us ready for the next play. I think the energy was just something that kept us going, even [when] they scored we just kept our momentum going and it really helped with the whole team chemistry by knowing that we’ll never give up and just keep going pitch by pitch, just striving for the next play.” Luis said.
Senior Teilar Fry stepped up to bat in the 3rd inning and managed to get on base with a single. Her teammates were close behind, also getting on base allowing her to score a run with her teammate Abby Luis following close behind making the score 2-1. As Fry runs home , the catcher from West attempts to cover the base and get her out. Fry, motivated to help her team score runs head on to the base and collides with the opposing teams catcher. By Fry being fearless and determined to help close West’s lead, she was able to score the first run for her team. Luis follows close behind, also scoring a run.
“I couldn’t breathe, and I thought I was gonna throw up. I thought it was pretty intense and scary, but I was fine. I’m happy we scored 2 runs which allowed us to be up 2 to 1 at that point so we were winning.” Fry said.
Later in the game Fry would make big plays in the outfield by reaching for balls hit high in the gap by the opposing team. She commands the outfield in center, controlling everything that is hit in her direction.
“I kind of control everything that’s going on. So I’ll tell [outfield] if we’re shifted because of the batter, I’ll be like, ‘left or right you have more of this side.’ So then, like, when the balls hit, they know how much room they have to cover, but most of the time I get to everything. when a ball is hit to me in the outfield, I just try my best to read it, and I just tell myself to run as fast as I can to catch it.” Fry said.
Sophomore Julia Tsao also made big plays in the outfield, by not letting any balls get past her or fall to the ground. West hit balls far and high but Tsao reached out to catch them, putting her body on the line to ensure no one got on base.
“I did pretty well on the field, I think big plays hype everyone up. If there is a tough pitcher, I get feedback from people who have already hit so I can prepare myself for what’s coming and what I need to look for.” Tsao said.