Despite their best efforts, the softball team lost to Westminster Christian Academy 4-2 in the District Final after beating Pacific 13-3 and Washington High School 5-4. The team had a winning record of 24-9, placing second in the Class 4 District 3 tournament and first in the Suburban Yellow Conference.
Head coach Chad Jones has worked hard with the team this season to get to the district final. Jones said the team played hard, only falling short on offense against the tough Westminster team.
“Overall we played well. Defensively we made pretty much every play that was there, we pitched pretty well. Our offense was a little down, [Westminster] did a really good job of keeping us under wraps there, we weren’t able to get a big inning like we normally do,” Jones said.
Senior Ava Reinecke is a catcher for the Falcons. Reinecke said that she’s sad for her last high school softball season to end, but she’s excited to embark on a new journey in college.
“It was really sad at first, it’s kind of bittersweet. Especially as a senior, you’re ready to move on to college, but you’re leaving your friends,” Reinecke said. “I’m really close with a couple of juniors on the team and [I’m]leaving them behind, but [I] also know I’m leaving [them] in good hands.”
Jones said that the Class of 2025 has had a positive impact on the softball program, promoting inclusion and good attitudes.
“[The seniors] came in and wanted to have a different culture, to where they wanted to make sure everybody was included and that there wasn’t really a thought of the seniors being above everyone else and they really did an amazing job of keeping a good culture and atmosphere in the dugout. We didn’t have any issues with that and I hope that sets a tone for the future,” Jones said.
Although the game wasn’t won, junior first baseman Leila Miller said the team had great chemistry on and off the field with each other which helped them work as a strong team in games.
“As a team we all worked together really well, I love all the girls and we’re all so close and that definitely helped in the game,” Miller said.
Reinecke said that the District Final came with a lot of anxiety, but the team played hard and worked together well.
“There were a lot of nerves going into that game but we were all playing for each other, more than for ourselves, and I think that was really good.”
Jones said he enjoyed how the girls never gave up in the game and always stayed positive even through their struggles.
“The girls kept pushing, there wasn’t a negative attitude, or defeated attitude because we were down from the second inning on and everybody legitimately thought that we were still gonna pull it out, and they kept fighting and kept going after it,” Jones said.