ONE LAST PITCH: A TRIBUTE TO MY TIME ON THE FIELD BY: EMMA KELLEY
The Lady Bears home Varsity field.
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hroughout the past year and a half, the NRHS softball program has faced many challenges and disadvantages due to COVID-19 restrictions, rules, and regulations. Last year, student-athletes Casey Felton, Meaghan Stafford, Ashley Dlugolinski, Hailey Dlugolinski, and Morgan Gresko sadly had their senior season stolen from them. Not being able to play was heartbreaking for our entire program, but we tried to make the best of it. After not having a season in 2020, we are so grateful that we can step out onto our field five days a week and play the game in which we tirelessly sacrifice blood, sweat, and tears. With a JV record of 7-11 and a Varsity record of 15-4, the Lady Bears are off to a great start this season, and I know that we will continue to do great things! As a 4-year varsity athlete and a proud softball player in the NRHS program, I have had an amazing experience playing for both Coach Koncius and 16
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TH E ROYA L NEWS
Coach Whitely. Not only have I been encouraged and helped every step of my high school career, but I have also been lucky enough to go through this experience with two of my best friends. Both 4-year letter winners, seniors Paige Heffke and Jillian Baracz (captain) have been by my side since game one of our freshman year. As the pitchers for our team, Heffke and Baracz have helped us reach many of our team wins and goals, and have both put in so much work to help our program succeed. Also graduating this year are my great friends, Peyton Maciak and Shannon O’Malley. Maciak (starting right fielder) and O’Malley (starting center fielder) have been amazing additions to varsity for the last two years with many clutch hits and amazing plays in the outfield. I can’t begin to express how thankful I am for these four girls and for the great season that we have had so far. While NRHS softball may be coming to an end for us seniors, I have full confidence that the rest of our team and program are set up for future success. On the 23 and 24 of April, the Varsity softball team went 3-0 at the annual Priebus Tournament in Wellington, Ohio. During the third game of the weekend, we won 29-0 against Notre Dame Academy and
