The Fair Grove Softball Team’s regular season is coming to a close. After placing third at state last season, the team is looking to continue that success.
During the off season, softball Coach Tara Whetzell stated that, “The team worked on the fundamentals of the game, offense and defense. We worked on our team culture expectations, specific goals, etc.”
Addyson Nunley (10), a member of the softball team mentioned, “During the winter we did a mostly indoor offseason that included hitting and fielding technique drills, Coach Whetzell was able to run this off season. I personally put a lot of time and work into my hitting during off season.”
As the off season came to a close and this year’s season started, the team also began practicing every weekday aside from days they have a game. These practices typically go from 3:45 to 5:45pm.
Some of the team’s strengths Whetzell said were, “Our varsity lineup competes and they are competitive athletes, which makes it fun to coach them. They play for one another and that’s the most important thing at the end of the day.”
“We are a good defensive team and our team chemistry and energy helps carry us through games,” Nunley explained were a few other strengths within the softball team.
Last year the softball team achieved 3rd place in state. Nunley stated that, “We were a great team for the simple fact that we had great chemistry. This year it is not the same team, but the chemistry is still there. I’m hoping to bring back another district championship and continue the postseason, hopefully ending up back at state.”
Addison Voorhis (9), another team member on the softball team, stated, “My personal goals this year are hitting a home run, be an aggressive first baseman, and be the best teammate I can be by encouraging my teammates to be the best they can be.” Nunley said, “My personal goal is to hit at least 10 home runs and have an above .350 batting average.”
Overall, the softball team is working incredibly hard as a family to reach their goals. Whetzell, who has coached for eight years, mentioned that the best part of her job is being with the girls and the relationships that they build as a team.
