To enhance their skills and engage in some team bonding, the softball team enjoyed what has become an annual trip when they spent some time in Myrtle Beach South Carolina in March. While their, the team participated in a tournament.
Prior to the event senior Lily Ponce was looking forward to her final softball trip of high school.
“I’m super excited because it’s supposed to be really good weather and we get to play on turf, so that’s exciting,” said Ponce.
Senior Makayla Mihelcic looked forward to the exposure of new competition.
“We will get to play team’s we haven’t even seen before,” Mihelcic said.
Head Coach Carol Atkinson described this year’s trip as “competitive.”
“This year’s trip will be different because we play different teams, so our competition is more competitive,” Atkinson said.
The trip was a first for the new freshmen players on the team.
Ponce believes that travelling together strengthens the bonds between the lower and upperclassmen.
“It brings us closer to the younger girls because their parents aren’t there for the first time and so they kind of rely on us older girls,” Ponce said.
Outside of the games the girls are also able to bond through support and time spent together.
According to Atkinson, support and contributes to the team’s bond.
“This is a great way for the girls to bond,” Atkinson said. “While down there we do a big team dinner and both teams are there supporting each other,” Atkinson said.
The trip also provides the girls with a beneficial opportunity to start preparing for their season.
“It gives us a head start because while we’re able to play in nice weather and on fields, teams are still here and inside because of the weather,” Ponce said.
Similarly, Mihelcic believes the trip provides the girls with an “advantage.”
“I would say we get an advantage because we’re getting to see live pitching, real teams, and real game time, while other teams are stuck practicing,” Mihelcic said.
The girls are also given the advantage of playing on turf on the trip.
“South gives us the benefit of playing on turf. As a coach, this helps us prepare for our league games,” Atkinson said.