Softball team takes momentum into State

By Mahlyk Davis

Sports Editor

With a record of 25-4, the South softball team has made this season one to remember.

After winning conference, districts and sectionals, the Lady Jaguars head to Springfield today to take on Washington High School in the first round of the state championship tournament. This is the first time a South girls team sport has made it to the final four, and according to Head Coach Kristi Williams it hasn’t been an easy road.

“We started the season on fire. At times it seemed like everything was going our way. Down the line, however, we had a rough stretch of games and lost a few. I think this was good for our girls because they were able to slow things down and take things one game at at time. Since then things have gotten back on track, and I am confident we will finish strong,” Williams said.

Junior center fielder Madison Crosslin has been a leader for the Lady Jags throughout the season. Leading off every game, she has been a great table setter for one of the region’s most potent offensive lineups. Crosslin has made dazzling plays in center field all year long and hopes to continue her stellar play into the final set of games.

“I want to help my team as much as possible. Our pitchers do a great job of filling up the zone, and no matter where the ball is hit I have confidence the play will be made. If it comes to me I will do my best to make the play. As far as offense, I know that if I can get on base somebody will drive me in, so that is my focus,” Crosslin said.

Although the Lady Jags have had key contributions throughout their lineup from underclassmen, the team also oozes with senior leadership. Assistant coach Traci Terry believes that the team’s success has more to do with relationships than softball.

“Over the last four years we (she and Coach Williams) have become extremely close with the girls. To see them succeed makes us not only happy but proud because of the way they are doing it. It does not surprise me that this team has made it as far as they have because from the first day of practice we knew that this team was different. They become more and more hungry with every win and won’t stop until the job is done,” Terry said.

Madi Hecker, senior All-State third baseman, had no trouble staying hot following her junior year in which she batted a school record .525. Although her average isn’t quite that high this year, she is still a force in the middle of the Lady Jags’ lineup. She has recently committed to play at Drury University next year and expresses her feelings on the rest of her high school career.

“It’s crazy to think we only have two games left. I am going to leave it all put on the field and do whatever it takes to get the job done. High school flew by so fast and it’s crazy to think it’s already coming to an end but I believe this year’s team is one that will be remembered,” Hecker said.

With the best record in school history it is easy to overlook the huge accomplishments of the girls this season. Senior Left Fielder Bailey Fowler broke both the previous records for home runs in a career (17) and in a season (6) earlier this year. She has become an RBI machine for the Lady Jags and hopes to continue her terror at state.

“Most of the time I go up the girls in front of my have already gotten into scoring position. Thst makes my job easier as I can focus on getting a ball into the outfield. It feels good to run into a ball and hit it out but that isn’t my focus. I just want to help the team score as many runs as possible,” Fowler said.