As softballs fly through the air at high speeds and parents cheer from the bleachers, the Central Kitsap strikes out Lincoln within almost every at bat. During the first inning, Central Kitsap showed dedication by scoring seven runs in a row.
“I think we performed amazingly today,” junior softball player Lily Selby said. “Everyone hit, everyone scored multiple runs, everyone fielded well when we got the opportunity. It was a really good game, and there was just so much energy.”
Selby is a part of the JV softball team and came to show support to the seniors participating, bringing energy from the dugout along with other JV members. During the fourth inning, CK built a strong lead, leaving Lincoln with a total of zero runs.
“Our hitting was on point, our base running plays in the field, our pitching,” softball coach Courtney Cotter said. “I mean, it was just an all around good game.”
Throughout the game, CK showed team effort by communicating with each other and ensuring the plays ran smoothly. Cotter and the other coaches watched from the foul line while expressing their encouragement toward the players.
“It was awesome,” Cotter said. “Everybody got in, and everybody contributed. It was nice to see everyone having fun out there. So it was a great game.”
With the players cheering each other on, they worked together to take home another win. As the CK batters were sprinting from one base to another, they eventually gained 20 runs which ended the game via mercy rule.
“It was a ton of fun, and it was so great to have one last game with all the girls,” senior softball player Elizabeth Griffin said.
Senior night started at the end of the match after the umpire called the game. Cotter spoke up in front of the families and friends that were gathered around their seniors for a speech about how the team has grown with them as players.
“I think I could have been more confident in myself,” Griffin said. “I was put in some new positions tonight that I wasn’t familiar with.”
With it being senior night, there were some strong emotions on the field. This was the last home game that the seniors will be able to participate in until districts. Some athletes were put into different positions which made the game a little uncomfortable to play at times.
“Everyone is excited about the win, excited about the game, excited that we get to celebrate our seniors and how much they mean to us,” Selby said.
With the team being thrilled about winning yet another game, they were also filled with sorrow because the seniors are leaving. Griffin has played softball all throughout high school, and explained how heartbroken she is to have to leave the community she’s been part of. Seniors spoke and gave advice to those they were leaving behind.
“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and laugh at them,” Griffin said.
