The softball team began their season with tryouts on Apr. 18, just like all other spring sports. Due to Covid-19, the spring season is modified in different ways, including audience member limits, fewer games played, mask policies and no state playoffs. 

However, the girls are glad to have a season at all. After tryouts and cuts, the varsity team has 10 players, and JV has nine. The JV head coach is technology teacher Lindsay Roberts, and the varsity head coach is Carline Goyne, as well as her dad and  sister Bridgette, who also helps out. 

Like all spring sports, softball will play high schools in their respective “pod”. Wootton’s pod consists of five other teams: Blair, Whitman, BCC, Churchill and Walter Johnson. The teams will play each other twice, totaling a t10-game season. A regular season without Covid restrictions usually has 17 or 18 games.

Softball starts their practice with team stretches and warmups, which JV and varsity do together. They then split up into their respective teams and practice skills including hitting and defensive work, as well as in-game simulations. 

The team looks promising,  beating Blair 9-6 on May 8. “I think the team looks pretty amazing and has lots of potential. We have a lot of chemistry and we bring tons of energy and intensity to each practice and game,” junior Lizzie Nelson said. 

Both JV and varsity gear up for Whitman next and WJ after that. The competition will be tough but the girls are prepared for any obstacle that may come their way.