Highline’s softball season has been like a rally that didn’t quite come together – too many outs and runners left stranded on base.
The Lady T-Birds have seen two doubleheaders cancelled because of COVID this spring. They have a record of 2-4 heading into the final weeks of the shortened season.
The ladies’ season normally played about 30 games. But due to the pandemic, fewer games were scheduled and cancellations have become part of the game.
“Before every game we always think, are we going to play?” said sophomore second baseman Justice Funamura-Sasil.
This thought is a constant fear in their heads as they deal with the reality this could be their last chance to play softball.
Most of the sophomores don’t plan on returning, said sophomore Alisha Malignon. This means that the ladies will have gone their first two years of college softball altered due to COVID.
The 2019-2020 softball season was cancelled last year due to the pandemic and this season has been pushed back and cut down.
The athletes are recognizing the privilege to play at all.
Head Coach Jason Evans talks to his team during last week’s games against Pierce.
“If anything, the cancellations have kept our team hungry,” said Malignon.
Because they recognized the season would be short, players said they tried to take advantage of their time on the field and were able to give more of a concentrated effort, she said.
This effort has proven to increase the bond and chemistry within the team, players said.
“COVID didn’t really affect our attitude. I think for us because we all had a tight bond with each other, we all have kept a strong, positive mindset throughout the season so far,” said Funamura-Sasil.
Highline’s most recent games were last Saturday, May 8, when they split a doubleheader with Pierce. They dropped the first game 5-4 before winning the second, 5-3.
The ladies last face up was against Pierce on Saturday, May 8.
The ladies brought some needed energy for the second game, said Alisha Malignon.
The Lady Thunderbirds next play a double-header away vs. Grays Harbor on Saturday, May 15 at noon and 2 p.m.