Nathan Elbaum and Noah Shelton Sports Reporters
Staring Down The Softball After a disappointing finish to last season, the softball team is looking to slide back into their winning ways this spring. After last season, the team lost four seniors, three of whom were DCL AllStars, forcing new players to step up and produce in the crucial two through four spots in the lineup. However, it isn’t just the hitting that will be affected by the losses. Senior captain Rebecca HoustonRead said the defense is the real worry, “We lost our starting third baseman, shortstop, left and right fielders as well as an extremely talented pitcher.” Senior captain Joy Yang was optimistic, saying, “We also gained several great up and coming players, like Mia Calderone and Amanda Smith.” Yang shared some insight into the team’s ambitions, “We want to develop new skills and attitudes that will better help us through the tournament.” “This year our goals are to work hard, bond with one another on and off the field, improve as individuals, and to improve as a team,” HoustonRead said. “As well, we aim to make it deep into the state tournament and are confident we have the abilities to do so.” It will be tough for the freshman, according to the team, to be ready for the beginning of the season because of their lack of preparations outside, so it is up to the captains to handle the learning curve. However, regardless of the wins or losses, it will be a tight knit community. “It's not just about winning, we also want to have fun and become a more cohesive family because that's what a softball team is: a family” Yang said. As of right now, the softball team hosts Needham High School on March 30th, looking to start off another tournament run.