Being part of the Atlantic Coast Softball Team was not only about its great triumphs on the diamond – the team was a win away from advancing in the regional tournament – but also about long practices with endless drills to perfect our game while building relationships and grit on and off the field.
The season ended with a 10-9 nailbiter loss against Apopka High School, but the memories will live on forever. One general lesson learned stands out: being a part of a team is never about one person.
Most people, when they see our team, only focus on one player at a time – the hitter digging in at the plate, the pitcher throwing heat, an infielder making a diving catch to save the inning.
What makes us an excellent team is not Morgan Brown’s fastball-changeup combination that left opponents stunned, Stella Lynton’s ability to read the field as the team’s general calling plays from behind the plate, or Audrina Bailey covering every inch of center field with her speed and confidence. Although they are all amazing, one person is never responsible for a team’s overall character and strength.
I’m not a starter, so I saw most of the team’s successes from inside the dugout, and this is a behind-the-scenes recap of a season none of us will ever forget.
Emma Cano, our only junior on the team. She is our second baseman and one of our greatest hitters. Emma taught me to demand better for yourself after a rare strike out or mistake in the field, and how to offer a pep talk to pump up players during tense moments in a game. She is set on her goals and knows what she wants in the future, and leads the team by example. She has a beautiful soul and always brings us Sour Patch Watermelon and Garden Salsa Sun Chips to munch on. Thank you, Emma, for teaching ambition and drive, which made us all better.
Maggie Moody, a freshman, is our first baseman. Maggie taught me being a player means being flexible, even when change can be intimidating. Maggie plays middle infield on her travel team but coach Keith Fisher needed her to move to play first base. She dreaded the change but practiced fielding hundreds of short hops and picks and became a great first baseman. Thank you, Maggie, for your determination, and teaching you can do anything you put your mind to.
Lily Maguire, a freshman, our third baseman and one of the team’s two pitchers. She also hits absolute bombs. Lily taught me that injuries don’t define you after she dove into third base against Fletcher and her finger bent backwards and was dislocated. Lily took two weeks to heal then got right back on the field and pitched countless scoreless innings in pain with her finger wrapped. Thank you, Lily, for teaching the team there is no obstacle that’s too big to overcome.
Ava Moss, a sophomore, our left fielder and third baseman. Ava taught me to never give up. She was in a long hitting slump, with a total of 20 strikeouts, but stayed after practice to hit with coaches and always did an extra round of batting practice before games. The hard work paid off when she busted out of her slump with a two-RBI line drive that helped the team defeat Paxon High School. After that, she was a trusted hitter who always seemed to be on base, where she shined as one of the team’s best baserunners. Thank you, Ava, for proving tenacity is the key to success.
Skye Deans, a freshman, our right fielder and the fastest person I know. Skye is one of the few slap hitters who also lays down a surprising bunt now and again. She bursts out of the batter’s box as teammates chant “Hot Wheels!” while opposing players’ jaws drop and fumble the ball. She’s also unwavering and fearless. Running full speed to catch a foul ball, her head slammed into the fence and she fell to the ground against Bishop Kenny High School. Skye also taught friendship. Skye asked to be my throwing partner before I knew anyone on the team because she knows how to make teammates feel welcome. She also never missed an opportunity to bring a teriyaki bowl to share before games. Thank you, Skye, for being the fearless friend the team didn’t always deserve.
Rylee and Audrina, both sophomores, are inseparable and lead by example with their camaraderie. Rylee is our shortstop and Drina is our center fielder. Drina covers the outfield like a hawk on the hunt and Rylee never fails to get the out while sacrificing her body with a spectacular diving play. Not to mention, if feels like this duo makes it on base 99 percent of the time. That is, when they don’t hit a bomb to round the bases. Thank you, Drina and Rylee, for being the players who always pull through, especially when the team is struggling and needs a lift.
Morgan and Stella, our pitcher-catcher duo. Morgan is a sophomore and Stella is a freshman. They taught the team leadership – if they saw a player goofing off for a bit too long, or if someone’s mind seemed to be drifting, they gave a casual reminder, “I need you to be in this game” to bring players back into focus. They are our team captains and incredible at not only leading by example with playing – Morgan’s pitching can best be described as “unhittable” with the nastiest changeup any hitter could hope to avoid, and Stella never lets a pitch get past her and guns the ball to second base to pick off any steal attempt. Thank you, Morgan and Stella, for reminding the team to always be present in the game, and by showing us how to be fierce competitors.
Amia, our only senior on the team. She is our designated position player and designated hitter, meaning she only hits. She brings character to the team by cracking jokes in tense moments, or by getting us hyped for a game. By far the loudest voice in the dugout, she taught the team how to enjoy softball while still taking it seriously. The smile on her face turned to a serious glare as she stepped to plate and launched a towering homerun over the fence, again and again. We will forever miss her next year. Thank you, Amia, for being the spirit of the team that saw so much success.
To sum it up, everyone plays a part on a team. The softball team couldn’t have seen such great success without the contribution of every player. So next time you’re thinking that Rylee is the best on the team, or Emma holds our team together, just remember they can’t do it without the other girls and the other girls couldn’t do it without them.
It’s never about one person.