The Lady Warriors worked hard and are dedicated as they practiced for their next game.

At practice Coach Maneri and Coach Dunn gave a short speech to the team. He mentioned how they are students first; grades are important and this sport is a privilege/extra activity.

Every practice the team starts off by running the perimeter of the field; starting and ending at home plate. This run in particular, Coach Maneri decided to run with them.

After running, they stretch as a group without the coaches and go straight into throwing practices. This exercise is to warm up their arms so they don’t get hurt in infield outfield drills as said by the coaches. They throw as hard as possible. In infield outfield practice the girls will frequently partner up to learn how to back each other up in real games and work as a team.

The coaches are proud of all the players every game. Each of them, they said, are modest, highly professional, and always try their best despite the circumstances.

If we expand our backyard, Coach Maneri said, we’ll be able to have home games, but games are usually at Colonia’s or Fords’ fields.

Emily Christie, an eighth grader on the team, said that to stay positive the team likes to talk and share laughs with each other; they motivate each other on the bus on the way to games by cheering “we’re going to win!” Emelia Kraft, a seventh grader on the team, said that if they “mess up in game, they can always take it back.” Last year there was a shortage of players and she had the opportunity to be on the team in sixth grade.

As a sixth grader, Emelia described the experience as weird being on the softball team. “Everyone’s older” she said. “And you feel like you’re the smallest one there.”

Practices make them better as team and practices are just right when it comes to difficulty. Emily loves the coaches and her team members. “We get along,” Emily had said about her team and all of them are friends as Emila said. Emelia said practice was fun and the coaches are funny.

Emily’s favorite moment this season was when she caught a pop-up. Last year she wasn’t able to catch a pop-up against this same team, so in this moment she felt proud. Emelia’s favorite moment was when they won against Iselin, which brought them to the championships.

Besides softball, Emily likes playing volleyball and going quad riding. Emelia likes basketball and is trying out for the team.

Compared to last year, Emily said the team “is more athletic, dedicated, and positive.”  Emelia said this year is better; last year she only knew three people but now she’s comfortable and knows  the whole team.

Credit: Azra Raza