NewsAthletics
Softball swings for success
Dec 7, 2001 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Although the win-loss record shows a losing season, the softball team played competitively and worked hard for not having much experience with fast-pitch softball. The team was led by seniors Helen Davis, Emily Griffin and Tara Kirkland, and freshmen Haley Tallent and Andrea Cole. Tallent and Cole stepped up and took leadership roles as pitchers and infielders despite their freshmen status, and proved valuable to the team.
Sophomore Mary Beth Monk was new this year and was ultimately voted Most Improved by her teammates. Senior Emily Griffin took on the awesome responsibility as catcher this year and last in our first two seasons of fast-pitch. This year her teammates recognized her as the Most Valuable Player. Senior Tara Kirland took the Hustler Award and junior Sarah Mooney was voted with the Spirit Award for her contributions.
Many of the players were faced with the task of playing several different positions and took on this responsibility well. “Our biggest challenge next year will be replacing our catcher, the pivotal position in fast-pitch softball,” said Penny Braden, assistant softball coach. “But we'll have great leadership and experience with our returning seniors, Alice Griffin, Sarah Mooney and Juli Mull.”
Several of the girls started their season in the Spring and played throughout the summer on the school recreation team. Brittni Dulaney contributed tremendously this summer and throughout practices all year as an eight grader. “We're hoping to gain a new softball field next year because girls' softball is one of the few teams at Darlington that does not have it's own playing field,” Braden said. “Hopefully this will help give girls' fast-pitch softball more of the respect and support it deserves.”
Sophomore Mary Beth Monk was new this year and was ultimately voted Most Improved by her teammates. Senior Emily Griffin took on the awesome responsibility as catcher this year and last in our first two seasons of fast-pitch. This year her teammates recognized her as the Most Valuable Player. Senior Tara Kirland took the Hustler Award and junior Sarah Mooney was voted with the Spirit Award for her contributions.
Many of the players were faced with the task of playing several different positions and took on this responsibility well. “Our biggest challenge next year will be replacing our catcher, the pivotal position in fast-pitch softball,” said Penny Braden, assistant softball coach. “But we'll have great leadership and experience with our returning seniors, Alice Griffin, Sarah Mooney and Juli Mull.”
Several of the girls started their season in the Spring and played throughout the summer on the school recreation team. Brittni Dulaney contributed tremendously this summer and throughout practices all year as an eight grader. “We're hoping to gain a new softball field next year because girls' softball is one of the few teams at Darlington that does not have it's own playing field,” Braden said. “Hopefully this will help give girls' fast-pitch softball more of the respect and support it deserves.”
