Softball leads off season with excitement

Elizabeth MebaneStaff WriterVarsity softball has high hopes for success in their season due to the hard work they put in during preseason and the encouragement of recent victories.The team’s 8-6 win against Palisades High School on Thursday Feb. 21 was even more successful because every single team member got the chance to play. After this success, Frankie Golick (’14) feels ready for the season and the glory of many more triumphs to celebrate.“This year I am looking forward to seeing our team finally come together,” Golick said. “We are constantly told how much potential we have as a team, and I believe that this is the year everything will finally come into place.”Physical Education teacher and varsity softball coach Debbie Skaggs reflects on the Palisades game, noting the positive and negative aspects of Samo’s play.“I thought we pitched well and played a strong defense,” Skaggs said. “I didn’t think that we hit particularly well, in order for us to be successful, we have to hit.”Skaggs believes that the solution to the hitting problem can be resolved by the girls pushing themselves.“We just haven’t had kids really step up and start hitting like they can,” Skaggs said. “It’s better to know what they can do and haven’t done yet.”Rachel Paris (’13) believes that the team has an advantage this year because of the amount of time all the girls have played together as a team.“We only lost one senior [from last year] so this team is pretty much the same roster,” Paris said. “People have been moving around and trying different positions, but for the most part we are the same team as last year. I think this is a huge advantage because we all know each other very well and have good team chemistry.”Skaggs anticipates that the girls will become better leaders because of the great number of seniors on the team this year.“I hope that we’ll have kids that step up and be leaders,” Skaggs said. “I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s still early.”Golick agrees with the advantage of having a developed team that has played together for a significant amount of time, recognizing the increase of each girl’s skill.“With development, each individual’s game has significantly improved, especially with our pitching,” Golick said. “Whitney Jones and Sara Garcia are two impactful pitchers with dedication under their belt. I am looking forward to seeing their hard work pay off against our tough pre-season line up.”Skaggs believes that the team has an advantage for their pre-season games because of the number of scrimmages that the team has played.“The fact that we have five or six games under our belt together as a team is a positive thing,” Skaggs said. “Hopefully we can build from that.”Pitcher Sara Garcia (’14) is confident in her team against the other strong opponents they will face during the season.“Like every year, Hawthorne will be our best competition in league,” Garcia said. “I have no doubt that we will beat them.”Skaggs hope that the team can build on the positives of last season.“Towards the end of the season, the kids were really coming together and playing really well,” Skaggs said. “I’m hoping that it won’t take them as long to get together. Although, we do play a tough preseason because our league is super weak. It’s going to be a battle.”Garcia believes that there are many factors that will help the team push for success.“Our team has been conditioning, ending practices later than usual, scrimmaging other teams and planning team bonding nights to grow,” Garcia said.Golick recognizes the coaching staff’s hard work and helpful motivation that can only help the girls go further.“The softball program has been hard at work since the beginning of the school year,” Golick said. “Our dedicated coaching staff has pushed us through and motivated us to exceed our level of play. Coach Skaggs never hesitates to push each individual towards exceeding their own personal standards.”Golick, Paris and Garcia are all optimistic about seeing a victory in Ocean League and beyond, namely, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).“I am confident that our team will win Ocean League and will work towards having a successful preseason,” Golick said. “As far as CIF [goes], I believe we have the capacity to advance much further than last season and effectively be able to work towards a CIF championship.”emebane@thesamohi.com