The girls’ softball team has had their share of both wins and losses throughout the spring. With such a long season, it is important to build off of wins and learn from losses to prepare for playoffs. 

The girls are not only friends on the field, but also off the field. This chemistry has led to success in games and improvements in practices. On game days, the girls do themes and dress up to school to show their spirit. Additionally, they show up early to have team breakfasts and spend time together. “The team is gelling and it’s really cool to see,” senior captain Lizzie Nelson said. 

Junior shortstop Karen Potts and Nelson lead the team in batting average so far this season. “Coming into the season, my goal was to play as well as I possibly can at whatever position the coach needs, and hopefully help some of our less experienced players learn and develop,” Potts said.

Along with her skills on the field, Potts will also be starring on the American Ninja Warriors show. “On May 6, the American Ninja Warriors crew is coming out to watch our game to see Karen in action,” Nelson said. 

The girls played a doubleheader at home against Watkins Mill and Blair on Mar. 26, looking to get their first win and bounce back from the recent loss to Paint Branch. The Watkins Mill game was high scoring with both teams hitting the ball well. The Patriots came out on top with the huge 21-11 victory. Immediately following the game, the girls faced off against a tough Blair squad. The powerful Blazer offense was too much for the Patriots as they finished with a 23-7 loss. “It was great to get our first win. We played well as a team,” Nelson said. 

The team traveled to Clarksburg on Mar. 29 to face off against a well-rounded Coyote squad. The weather was not ideal, with wind chills into the 20s, but the girls gave it everything they had. Unfortunately, the Coyotes’ strong pitching was too much to handle, and the Patriots fell 8-1. 

The girls played Seneca Valley at home on Mar. 31, winning 10-5. The team played a crisp game with both good pitching and hitting. 

Following the Seneca Valley win, the girls lost five games in a row. Losses included Whitman, Richard Montgomery, Walter Johnson, Churchill and Quince Orchard.

The girls picked up a bounce back win at home against Rockville on Apr. 27. Potts threw a no hitter and had 13 strikeouts.

With the season more than halfway through, the girls are looking toward playoffs. “My goal has been to win as many games as possible, and go as far in the playoffs as possible,” Potts said.