There are many different scenarios when it comes to sports and how they prepare for each one. Last season, the Panthers took on the Griffin Bears twice, once earlier in the season losing 8-0 and then later in the season losing their spot in the playoffs to the Bears 13-2.
The first matchup between the two teams this year came after the Panthers had not played in a week and a 90-minute rain delay. The result was quite different from last year’s pair of games with Starr’s Mill winning 12-0 in only four innings.
Although this was a rough team to defeat, the team has worked hard to make sure they were prepared to face them once again.
“We have a lot more players now than we did back then,” sophomore pitcher Emma Garcia said. “And no matter the score, [we] keep fighting till the end.”
During the game there were multiple RBIs and solid hits that got players to bases. Defense was also strong, limiting score chances by keeping the other team off the bases.
While preparing for the game against Griffin, the team had a week break after defeating Callaway.
Even though practice is helpful to improve skills, players’ bodies need rest every once in a while. As long as it is planned out well and there is practice mixed in, sometimes the week breaks are much needed for both the players and the coaches to reset and come back stronger.
“We just try to simulate as best we can, but sometimes it is time to rest and rest the body,” head coach Peyton Dean said.
In spite of being rested and ready to go, the weather had other plans. By being an outdoor sport softball games are bound to be rained on and possibly canceled at times. The Panthers and Bears waited an extra hour and a half due to rain delay before their region contest. This extra time can either cause more anxiety or, like the Panthers, take the time to bond as a team and make a game plan.
“It can get in your head if you think about it too much,” junior Kayla Peavyhouse said. “But we got to have quality time in the locker room and we locked in.”
Starr’s Mill is 6-2 to begin the season. They host the Cherokee Warriors at 12 p.m. on August 23.