Not content with another runner-up trophy

Hanna Safren / Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: May 11, 2007

Monday

We piled two to a seat and chattered, as usual, about random thoughts as we drove to our game against Fredericksburg Christian High School.

We've gotten used to the fact that, without a home field, we never have home games, so the bus rides have become routine gossip time.

Somewhere between singing obnoxiously to country songs and finding out who is going with whom to Highland's prom, we got on the topic of the State Championship.

Two weeks from today we will walk into Highland School as state champions or, as that one team, you know, the team that lost the state championship, again.

Let's face it, no one ever remembers second place. The only thing second place accomplishes is two more weeks of practice than every other team.

And besides, most of the softball team is tired of walking away with a second place trophy: we already have three.

Queen Reba Tutt said "Man, I want this so bad." Everyone nodded in agreement and we hopped off the bus for another win.

Tuesday

We're number one in the state!

The polls came out today and the coaches told us we deserve to be where we are - the catch is to stay there.

After last Friday's 11-inning, 4-3 loss to Mercersburg Academy, it seems ironic that we rank number one, but as a team we agree with the polls.

Our work ethic is consistent and we all have the heart to keep the number one spot to the season's end.

Wednesday

I've been in a slump lately. In our win over Loudon County's Freedom High School tonight, I chased every pitch like I've never swung a bat in my life.

My confidence, I admit, has dropped slightly over the past few games, despite encouragement from the girls.

I tried to use the excuse of being rusty from the few games I sat out because of my prior prom decisions, but that idea quickly dissolved when I remembered that I hit the ball well our first games of this season and prior to that, I hadn't touched a softball since last season.

I can't find the explanation, the excuse, or the encouragement, but I'm hoping the slump will pass soon…like, by tomorrow.

Thursday

Our school day ended early as we boarded the bus for a much needed bus-ride nap and, of course, a swing at a second Delaney Athletic Conference championship.

My snoozing was contentedly interrupted when we pulled into a neutral Stafford County field for a double-header against Quantico and Colonial Beach - both of which we defeated handily in five innings.

Though our demolishing results might seem useless to an outsider, the two games allowed us to perform almost flawlessly and our intense and focused attitudes were evident.

Plus, I'm happy to announce that my four-game hitting slump has ended.

After the championship game concluded and the numerous pictures of our smiling faces and shiny trophies were taken, we gathered into left field for our usual post game meeting.

The coaches praised our efforts with their complimentary remarks.

Coach O'Meara finished the meeting by sternly saying, "I love having a back-to-back District Championship, but I don't want to have a back-to-back state runner up."

We gathered our hands and proudly cheered "Hawks" for the last time before our run at a state championship title.

Friday

Today's practice was important for our big upcoming week.
We were focused and we worked hard.

We are ready.