Lady Mountie’s softball looks to the future of their season

After a devastating loss at the state tournament last year to Cabot, the Mountie softball team is looking for redemption this season. Starting off the season with a 4-1 conference record and more games every week, the Mountie ladies are ready to take on any competition this year. 

This season, players are working hard to better themselves and their team, making changes to their play style and working together as a team to make their goals happen.

“This season is the energy we are bringing to the field. We are talking every pitch, and you will never see anyone sitting in our dugout,” Ella Beeman, 12, said. “Everyone is here to support each other, and we want to have fun while we’re doing it.”

This is not the only change being made to the team. Hannah Neal, the new coach, was asked to step in after Coach Harper resigned. Members of the team said they feel she is doing a good job of making progress and supporting the team.

“Coach Neal has also had to step in the head coach position and she is doing an amazing job handling all the situations that get thrown at her,” Ava Johnson, 11, said.

The team’s goal this year is to dominate the field and win State, which is seemingly more and more probable with their 5-1 overall  record this season. 

“Our team’s goal this season is to compete every game and play for each other.  We have put an emphasis on doing what’s best for the team overall and all working towards the common goal of being a top team in the state,” Beeman said.

On April 6, they played against Northside and won 10-0, showing they are more than capable of fulfilling their goals. 

Still, the team’s biggest contender, Bentonville, does seem to pose an obstacle for the team. After losing to Bentonville in February, the team will have to play them again at the end of this month. 

But this team sees more to the season than the competition and getting to state; this team is a family and sees it as a safe space to learn and grow, to not only be better players, but better teammates.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just about winning or losing, it’s about developing those lasting relationships and doing everything I can to set them up for success in the real world,” Hannah Neal, head softball coach, said.