The Varnum Lady Whippets finished the fastpitch softball season a little earlier than they had hoped. They ended the season with a 14-16 record and did not advance past regionals. But as they begin the slowpitch season, head coach Hallea Votaw says that even with a lot of underclassmen on the roster she is looking for her squad to have a solid season.
“We finished our fastpitch season in the regional tournament at Stuart, who were the eventual state champions,” Votaw said. “We are a very young team with six freshmen, four of whom will be starting. I’m looking for our team to become more solid all around. We have to find our bats as a whole and play more sound defense. We have talked about getting over the hump, that is what we need to do this season.”
Leading the charge for the Lady Whippets will be seniors Mindy Wildcat and Jesslyn Works. They are both players that the team will lean on this season.
“Both of my seniors play the eight and ten spots defensively and can make those insane catches in the outfield,” Votaw said. “But they can also play anywhere I need them on the infield. As for their sticks, they both are a huge threat in our lineup. They are a very core part of our team.”
Other members of the team to watch out for are juniors Hailey Mack and Nataleigh Beaver, and sophomore Katherine Morgan. Coach Votaw praises these three players for their strong play on both sides of the plate.
“These three are defensively and offensively a huge threat,” she stated. “They are someone you do not want to have to pitch to in a tough position and would rather they come up with no one on base. Right now Hailey Mack leads the team in home runs and the other two are right behind her.”
As she begins her final softball season for the Lady Whippets, Wildcat reflects on her enjoyable career.
“It is sad to know that this is my final season,” she said. “But I am also happy at the same time because of all the things I’ve accomplished the past four years, not only as an individual but as a player too. I have four sisters of my own, but I feel like I’ve gained more playing softball. These girls are my family.”
Jesslyn looks to the future but she knows that she will not forget this team.
“This team meant so much to me and made my senior year so fun,” she stated. “My high school career is coming to an end and I’m looking forward to the future.”
As with any sports team, the Lady Whippets have to deal with their own challenges throughout the long season. And coach Votaw says that she looks for her team to be able to overcome these challenges and persevere.
“We have really been facing the challenge of mental toughness so far,” she said. “My girls are young and we are learning to be mentally tough and compete every single time we step on the field. Working on that mental toughness will really help us get over that hump. I look for us to be more competitive at the end of our season.”
Overall, coach Votaw is excited to see what her team will be able to accomplish this season.
“This is a great group of girls,” she said. “Not only on the field but off the field. They really represent Varnum well anywhere we go! I am always proud of them and to be their coach.”
