Softball Swinging Back Into the Season

Softball preseason is starting, and Coach Whetzell is getting her team fired up for the season right around the corner. 

 “My leaders this season are Jaleah McDannald, Taylor Rode, Hannah Morris, Jena Scaletty, and Minna Morris,” said Whetzell. These select few walked right into their roles. “I do not choose leaders, it is a natural process and natural respect among teammates,” Tara Whetzell, the softball coach, explained. 

One of the leaders, Hannah Morris (12), spoke about offseason work, “The softball girls have been putting in the work. We have been working really hard during our fall off-season on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school, working on our machines and all of those small things so we can see a better big picture in spring.”

Every year, high school teams struggle from losing seniors, but softball only lost one senior. Luckily, they are just building off last year. “We have a really great team-culture, but last year fell short in the second round of districts, but ultimately it has fueled us and we have the goal to be in the final four this year,” said Morris. 

“We have a really tough schedule, but we always look forward to the best competition. Our rivalry down the road will always be a game worth watching. We are excited to get another chance at Mt. Vernon, Diamond, Eldorado, and Skyline,” states Whetzell.  Competition makes a good team strive to be their best, so Fair Grove Softball isn’t afraid of their competition. “I think we are excited to play a couple of teams this year. Strafford, our school’s rival, of course, as well as Diamond (who were last year’s State Champs), and Pleasant Hope, who is always a fun team competition-wise to play,” Morris mentioned. 

Every team has strengths and weaknesses, but teams that overcome their weaknesses are the teams that are successful. “Our team’s strengths are our defense and team culture. We have a really good group of players and we only lost one senior from last season,” said Whetzell.  

“Just based off last year, we definitely struggled with getting the bats rolling and our strength last year was our defense but we have worked on both of those, breaking down our mechanics and will continue to do so. We are trying to improve on last season’s team batting average during this offseason. Our defense was impressive and our offense was at times, but we have to continue working hard and being consistent at the plate,” Morris added.

“I think we all have our own personal goals as athletes but also have a couple goals as a team that we are working to achieve. This includes winning a district championship and being in the final four this season,” said Morris.