The Woodford County High School softball team is approaching their season not knowing what it is going to be like or what to expect. The team is doing everything they can to protect themselves and their teammates from the virus so that they can get the season they didn’t get last year. Natalie Kerr, a Freshman on the team, asked at least one player from each grade a couple of questions about their opinions on the upcoming season and team. Check out their responses below!

Lily Slayton: 8th Grade

What position do you play? 

 I play 2nd on the high school softball team. 

How long have you been playing softball?

I have been playing for almost 4 years. 

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

I think we will go the whole time because we are being cautious.

How do you feel about our building being put up?

I’m so excited for it! 

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why?  

 Inclusive because all of the older girls include the younger ones and makes us feel welcome.

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

I think we’re gonna win it all.

Layla Ashburn: 8th Grade

What position do you play?

 I play catcher, 1st, and 3rd.

How long have you been playing softball?

 I’ve played for 7 years. 

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

 I think we can go all the way because everyone is very cautious and we all do a good job with following Covid guidelines.

How do you feel about our building being put up?

 I am excited because it will give us a place to work in the off-season. 

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why? 

Encouraging because even though I’m younger they are always there picking me up if I make a mistake and they cheer everybody on. 

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

 I think we can make it to state if we stay focused throughout the season. 

Azlynn Day: Freshman

What position do you play?

 I play outfield and pitcher.

How long have you been playing softball?

 I have been playing softball since 3rd grade when I was probably 7 or 8 years old. 

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

 I think that we will probably make it through the whole season. We take the precautions we need to and take it seriously so I think we will be able to play this season. 

How do you feel about our building being put up?

 I think it will be really nice considering it has taken so long for it to get finished but I think it will be beneficial considering that we will have somewhere to practice during bad weather.

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why?

 One word to describe the team would be encouraging. Everybody encourages one another and picks them back up from their failures. I have found the team to be very encouraging to not just me but to everybody as well. 

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

 I think we will get all the way through to regions and hopefully state. I haven’t played for this team for a long time considering I tagged along in the summer but we work hard and there is a lot of talent and I would like to think that we could make it to state and hoping it doesn’t get interfered by Covid. 

Kristyn Murphy: Sophomore

What position do you play?

 I play 3rd and pitcher.

How long have you been playing softball?

I have been playing softball since I was 6 years old.

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

 We have been taking a lot of precautions like wearing our masks while we are playing and staying 6 feet apart. I think we will make it all the way through. 

How do you feel about our building being put up?

 Well, we have been waiting for almost 2 years for it to be put up so I am really excited that it is almost done. 

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why? 

 I would say young because we have a total of like five upperclassmen, two senior, three juniors, and the rest are underclassmen. We have also pulled a lot up from the middle school.

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

 I think we will make it past districts maybe but I think it is questionable if we will make it past regions. 

Addison Kerr: Junior

What position do you play?

 I am a catcher and 1st baseman. 

How long have you been playing softball?

 Since I was about 6 years old.

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

   I think that we will get our full season in. We are taking all of the correct precautions, socially distancing, and making sure we are wearing our masks. I feel like it is something that is going to happen or not happen and that we can just hope for the best. 

How do you feel about our building being put up?

 I am thrilled that our building is finally going to be done! We have waited for probably two years for this building and it is going to be a huge resource in building our program. Before we had to drive out to a barn off of campus and it was very inconvenient and we couldn’t practice for a very long time nor did we have a lot of space. This is going to be a complete game-changer especially this year having that facility and being able to space out is going to improve our program tremendously. 

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why?

Potential because we have a lot of young talented players with a total of maybe five upperclassmen. We all just have to come together. 

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

I think we will make it past districts into regions. The big question is going to be if we are going to be able to make it to state. My personal opinion is that I think we can make it to state, but I don’t know how far we will be able to make it in the state tournament. 

Claire Lehmkuhler: Senior

What position do you play?

I am a pitcher. 

How long have you been playing softball?

I have been playing softball since I was in 2nd grade. 

How far do you think we will go in this season with Covid?

I think with Covid we all wear masks while we are at practice so I think there is a good chance that we will make it through the season…but you never know. 

How do you feel about our building being put up?

It is exciting that we will actually have our own building to practice in. 

If you could use one word to describe the team what would it be and why?

I would say new because we have an interior new infield since the last time we have played together and it is just a lot of young players that we have not had in the past.

How far do you think we will go in districts, regions, and state?

I think we have a really good chance of making it to regions. I think we will have a tough run to make it to state.