As the softball team winds down the regular season, the Knights are 9-10 overall and ranked 3rd in Region 4-AAAA with an 8-4 record.
Coach Jonathan Bookspun said although the team’s record isn’t as good as last year, the Knights are playing better teams.
“While our record looks worse than last year, it’s because we have purposely scheduled and played literally the best teams in the state of Georgia, so we can gauge areas of improvement,” Bookspun said.
This schedule has helped the team progress. The first time the Knights faced Creekside on Aug. 21, they lost 14-0; when they played Creekside again on Sept. 16, they fought a close 6-5 game that went on for seven innings.
“Our composure and focus improved dramatically,” Bookspun said. “Coach (Eric) Twombly, coach (Levi) Morran and I regularly talk with our players about staying focused on the process of improving our skills and execution, not the score.”
Sophomore catcher MyMy Marshall said she has grown this year as a player and leader.
“I’m better at working with pitchers, blocking tough balls and keeping the defense focused, which has helped me control the pace of the game a lot,” Marshall said. “I’ve also gotten better mentally and have taught myself to push through the mental exhaustion behind the plate.”
Freshman pitcher Katie Tedder also said her skills have improved from the start of the season. She said she has not only developed in her pitching skills but also in her confidence and softball knowledge.
“Since the start of the season, my pitching has grown tremendously,” Tedder said. “I’ve gained more softball IQ, and I’ve become more comfortable on the mound.”
Tedder said even games that ended in losses were learning opportunities.
“Though we lost, I felt like I developed a lot as a player, pitching more than 100 pitches that game, which is the most I’ve ever thrown,” Tedder said.
She said one of the hardest parts of pitching this season has been adjusting to the tough umpires.
“The biggest challenge I’ve ever faced on the mound is probably when there is a tough umpire,” Tedder said. “For example, in the last game, the umpire changed the strike zone he gave me in the first inning throughout the game, so I had to adjust quickly to his changes.”
To keep improving, Marshall said the team has to keep its energy up and accomplish the little things.
“We need to stay locked in every inning, play solid defense and trust each other,” Marshall said. “If we keep the energy up and execute the little things, I think we can finish the season really strong. We also need to play at our level, not down to the opponents’ levels.”
The Knights first playoff game is scheduled for October 13. Freshman Kacy Rothstein said they are excited for an opportunity to go to playoffs.
“We have had recent victories over teams which gives us a lot of momentum going in to playoffs,” Rothstein said. “If we play to our level collectively and all work together I think we could go far.”
As the Knights are heading to the playoffs, Bookspun said they are preparing to put their best foot forward.
“Extra practice,” Bookspun said. “Fielding, running bases, and just set up and began using Midtown’s brand new pitching machine which can get balls up to 70 mph. The playoffs will be against the best in the state, which will be very tough on us, but a great learning experience.”
