Erin Kaye, Mackenzie Murphy & Dorian Carpenter
Fentonian
Fenton HS
1st Place
Division 2, Yearbook
Sports Reporting
On one of the many rainy days early during the season, the varsity softball team expected to practice inside once again. Instead, a meeting was held in head coach Stefanie Roberts’ fourth grade classroom where the team brainstormed and wrote down goals for the season, one of which was becoming district champions.
“After our team met to write down our goals, we worked toward our primary goal of winning districts,” junior Rachel Siekierski said. “We practiced hard every day, even if it was cold or rainy. Our team kept constant communication and got to know each other really well. We worked hard to get better every day and made sure to pick each other up when we were down.”
In addition to the Metro League games, the team added weekend tournaments to its schedule to prepare for districts. On May 27, after going 34-4 and becoming Metro League champions, their journey began; after winning the quarter-final and semi-final district game against Hartland and Holly, it was time for the district championship.
“Before the district final game, I was nervous but ready to play,” senior Dori Carpenter said. “Our nerves fed into our adrenaline and was why we came out so strong in the first and second inning where we scored five runs. Our mental focus was intense; we were more prepared for that game than any other the whole season.”
After a seven inning game, the team won 6-4 against the reigning district champions, the Lakeland Eagles. They had reached a status that had not been met by the softball team since 2007.
“Winning districts my first year has set the standard for all my years to come,” freshman Taylor Mowery said. “My teammates and I saw the goal we wanted to reach and worked for it. Winning districts was when we knew all of our hard work had finally paid off.”
Completing their set goal of winning districts, the softball team moved on, ending its season in regionals, going 37-5.