Clarke Central High School varsity softball third baseman Casey Anglin, a senior, crouches on the softball field while warming up for the Loganville High School vs. CCHS double-header on Sept. 2. The Gladiators lost to the Red Devils 11-1 and 14-2. “Everyone hates to lose,” head varsity softball Coach William Lance said. “Mentally it’s hard when you’re putting in hours, you’re putting in the work and you’re not getting the results you want.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly
After facing seven losses this season, the CCHS varsity softball team is training to rebound during their Region 8-AAAAA games.
As of Sept. 8, Clarke Central High School’s varsity softball team has played 13 games this season. After seven losses, they are working to improve their standing in Region 8-AAAAA games in order to make it to the playoffs.
CCHS head varsity softball coach William Lance has seen the team struggle in their most recent games.
“We started out really hot. We won the first three games and we did it in a pretty dominating fashion,” Lance said. “We’ve hit a roadblock with our last four games. (We’re) on a losing streak and we’ve got things (that) we need to correct and get back on track.”
To overcome their losing streak against their region rivals, Lance has the team working on fundamentals.
“We’re really focusing on footwork, getting (to) the ball (and) setting our feet,” first baseman Lauren Brown, a senior, said. “I’m the first baseman so I’m working on pick plays, high plays (and) sight plays.”
“You can try to do it in practice but at the end of the day, when it’s game time you don’t get to correct the mistakes right then and there. You got to adapt and overcome.”
— William Lance,
CCHS varsity softball head coach
According to Lance, the softball players have to be able to adjust to recover from any mistakes they make during a game.
“I think a lot of the times when you look at mistakes that were being made, it’s all correctable issues,” Lance said. “You can try to do it in practice but at the end of the day, when it’s game time you don’t get to correct the mistakes right then and there. You got to adapt and overcome.”
While the team is focused on the basics, Lance expects that the road to the playoff will be difficult due to the competitive nature of the region.
“If you’re losing, you (have) to have the ability to come back. The four teams that make it to the playoffs in our region generally go to the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four, and then win state championships,” Lance said, “Just getting to the dance would be amazing but when you’re playing teams that are constantly in the playoffs, it’s hard for a team like us. We’ve got a long way to go to get to that point.”
