The strength to get back up: Softball Crusaders press forward with hope of succeeding in conference championship
Mary Margaret Flook, staff writer
The hearts of a championship team are formed long before a championship game is ever won.
Getting out of bed before the sun comes up, cold weather, running and scrimmages account for preseason in the fall. Yet the work proves to be helpful when the spring season rolls around.
North Greenville University’s softball team is currently ranked 4th in Conference Carolinas and is ranked second for their batting average. They have a winning record of 8-6.
The crusader’s ball game schedule typically includes competing against 2 other schools during the week. Two games are played back-to-back with each school, known as a doubleheader. This amounts to an average of 4 games a week.
The crusader softball team had a difficult start to the season February 4, getting swept by Anderson University.
Yet the crusaders won their next game against USC Aiken which began their 6 game winning streak. The crusaders swept USC Aiken, UVA Wise and Tusculum.
“This was the first year that we’ve ever swept USC Aiken, beat them both games. And then also Tusculum was the first time we beat them both games too,” said Madison Pride, junior softball player.
The Crusaders split their next few games with Coker and Claflin university, winning one game and losing one game. Specifically in the game against Coker, the crusaders lost their first game with a 11-10 loss but were able to come back the second game and beat Coker 6-4.
Maddie Newson, when describing the team, said, “No one on our team ever gives up, like they’re going to give it their everything no matter the situation.”
When asked about what the team needs to improve on, seasoned player Madison Pride said that the team needs to work on keeping their confidence up and moving on from mistakes.
Lexis Wilkenson added to the conversation, she said, “work on playing for our team and our teammates and not just ourselves.”
Coach Hall, who is in her 13th year coaching at NGU is hopeful of the team. “We continue to get better athletes every year,” she said.
The team is a young team, their roster holding 10 freshman, 6 sophomores, and only 2 upperclassman. Last season the majority of the team were seniors that have since graduated.
When comparing this year to last year Coach Hall said that the team does not have much experience, but more energy. She said it is a totally different feel this year. She said that it is cool to see the freshman step up.
“I think we’re fighters,” Hall said. Hall said she is impressed with how they don’t just give up. She said they are a fun group.
When asked about any goals that Hall had for the season, she said the goal is to win conference. Hall said, “I think we can do it.”
The team’s schedule can be found here.
The Crusaders lost a doubleheader game to Newberry University. Fans are encouraged to come out and show support to the team for their season.
