With 15 completed games under their belts, the softball team officially concluded the 2024 season with a final record of 4-11. The final game for the girls was on the home field against Western Beaver, where they fell short by a score of 4-1. Despite closing off the season with a losing game and record, the softball team gathered several positive takeaways.
“I think the highlight of the season was beating New Brighton twice. We all really played well together as a team,” senior Morgan Shaffer said. “This year was a lot better [than last season].”
For the first few weeks of spring, the softball team struggled to find time to get out on the field due to several game cancellations in a row. Nevertheless, the girls devoted lost field time to practice in the gymnasium. Utilizing the skills learned in additional practice, the Bulldogs retook the field near the end of April. Throughout the entire month, there were only four victorious games. However, through both the winning and losing matches, the skills learned through their practices were evident.
“[With] Emilee pitching and me or Hayden behind the plate, there were lots of great plays made,” Shaffer said.
The final four games of the season were held within the first two weeks of May. After leaving April with a successful 16-1 match against the Aliquippa Quips, the first game in May started a shift in the opposite direction with a 11-1 loss against the Shenango Wildcats. Four days after this loss, the Bulldogs tried to bounce back against the South Side Rams, where they fell short with a score of 11-1.
On Wednesday, May 8, the girls traveled to their last away game versus the Burgettstown Blue Devils. Unfortunately, they had difficulty keeping up with the Blue Devils, who put themselves on the board within the bottom of the first inning. The Bulldogs failed to gather points in the game, hence falling short in a 15-0 loss.
The following day, the Bulldogs hosted the Western Beaver Golden Beavers at home for their final game of the season. Leading up to the game, the forecast was insinuating a possible rain-out in the middle of the evening. After playing for an hour, bad weather struck, causing an immediate end. In spite of great effort, the Bulldogs only managed to place one point on the board, while the Golden Beavers dominated with four.
Shortly after their final game, the softball team celebrated the end of another season in the high school cafeteria on Friday, May 10. Every year, the softball team gathers in the high school for a banquet, which primarily serves as a final team bonding experience and a time to recognize the latest season. Seniors Shaye Bailey, Morgan Shaffer and Emilee Waggoner were honored for their years of dedication and contributions to the team. Despite a losing record, the Bulldogs “continued to have a good time,” according to sophomore Alyssa Bearer.
“We walked in [to the banquet] and there were a lot of people there together celebrating the season we had,” Bearer said. “We all spread lots of thanks for our coaches and boosters for all the help.”
Regardless of the losing record, the softball team concluded their 2024 season with positive takeaways and moments of challenge. There were a total of four victorious games, all within the month of April, and 11 losing games that brought valuable lessons to the team.
“Through playing softball, I learned how to communicate with people and how to work as a team,” Shaffer said. “I am really proud of how far everyone has come.”