Softball sets goals for winning season

“I’m expecting a district title this year. A lot of us play travel together, so it’s an expectation that we want to win.”

That’s what senior Isabelle Easton said about the upcoming softball season, as she and the Hornets have high expectations for a successful season.

In addition to striving toward a district championship, the team also expects to be a top Metro League team this season as the Hornets are led by experienced upperclassmen.

Junior Alexis Echols anticipates a successful season.

“I believe this season will be good,” Echols said. “We all know our roles this season and all want to come up on top.”

But one thing that’s new for the Hornets is there will be no junior varsity team. All high school players will play varsity softball.

Easton, who earned All-League honors last year, doesn’t think this will hurt the team.

“I don’t think it’s a big change because I feel like the girls who are going to play were the girls who were going to be on varsity,” Easton said.

However, Easton said she expects practice to focus on the basics.

“I feel like we’re doing more basic stuff, than actual skills, because we are one team,” Easton said. “I feel like we have to go back to the beginning because we have girls who don’t play as much as the starting nine.”

For Echols, all of the players have worked to improve their skills, which will help the Hornets.

“With our hard work and determination, I feel it (practice) will pay off,” Echols said.

The softball team will spend its spring break in Ft. Meyers, Fla., practicing daily. Easton said she likes the spring break trip because the team will meet daily with the players and the coaches, and this keeps everyone together.

Overall, Easton said the team is balanced well among its skills set, but she said the Hornets will strive to perfect little things.

“We need to work on touching up the little things that will help us between getting a win or a loss,” Easton said.

The Hornets also have two other All-League players back this season: senior Halle Parish and junior Claire Ouellette

Softball at a Glance

Key Returners:

• Halle Parish, senior
• Isabelle Easton, senior
• Alexis Echols, junior
• Claire Ouellette, junior

Key Losses:

• Kaitlin Foco
• Olivia Dunsmore

Anticipated Strengths:

• Hard work and motivation
• Commitment to improvement

Anticipated Weaknesses:

• Youth
• Experience playing together

2017-2018 Record:

• 11-2

Projected Top 3 League Teams:

• Kearsley
• Swartz Creek
• Clio