Another year has ended for the girls softball team and despite an overall abundance of skill, the team simply couldn’t maintain a consistency.
The final game ended with a 8-0 loss to Clarkston during the June 4 District semi-finals. The Lady Dragons managed to hold the Wolves to 1-0 until the final inning when Clarkston took a commanding lead. Runners in scoring position for the Dragons became a regular sight throughout the game but the green and white simply could not bring one in.
‘Our consistency was a weakness this year – hitting in big situations was not consistent and neither was our defense,? said Head Coach Joe Woityra. ‘We were really good at times but we had mental defensive lapses. We beat some of the best teams in the state but lost to teams we really shouldn’t have lost to. They have to be able to perform under pressure and it was a problem this year.
Though consistency was a problem, Woityra added that team chemistry was the best he’s had in a long time and commended the seniors for their leadership.
He also complimented some of the younger players, who he said proved they could play at the varsity level.
‘Three of our seniors – Taylor Dillon, Kaitlyn Clouse and Danielle Guldi – really stepped up this year which was nice,? said Woityra. Bre Schwarcz and Dillon were the two seniors that got all district at the district meeting. Juniors Julie Malear and Alisha Gronowski also got all district.?
Next year Woityra will lose six seniors, which according to him will affect leadership the most. Remaining players will offer the Dragons a healthy mix of youth and veteran players. Woityra said he hopes to shore up the defense and become more productive offensively.
‘It’s always our goal to make it to Battle Creek (state championship.)?