The dugout is loud, the energy is constant, and the mission is clear for this year’s softball squad: compete hard, stay connected, and never lose sight of why they started playing in the first place.
“For me the main goal is that girls should be having fun,” Coach Brittany Barber said. “Itis competitive and we want to win, but at the end of the day they should be having fun and enjoying the game they love.
Obviously the other big goal is to win the conference.” So far, the team is backing up that mindset with results. Sitting at 4–1 in conference play, they’ve positioned themselves as a serious contender.
“One of our major goals is to win the conference. We’ve been hunting that down for a couple of years,” junior- Maeve Carlton said. “And then a regional game for sure.”
But success for this team goesbeyond skill development. Chemistry has become one of their defining traits. Whether it’s an Easter egg hunt before practice or celebrating birthdays together, the players have built a bond that translates directly onto the field.
“The team has great chemistry which translates to the field,” Barber said. “They are great at communicating, cheering each other on, and picking each other up.”
Players echo that sentiment, emphasizing how closeness off the field fuels performance during games.
“We always try to celebrate each other and go for each other’s birthdays,” Carlton said.
“The closer we are off the field, the better we are on the field. We have a great atmosphere as a team.”
That atmosphere is also driven by leadership and personality.
Junior Evalyn Prochaska described her personal goals as staying present, creating energy, and to “bring the juice” before every game. Her impact is felt not just in playmaking but in morale.
“My greatest strength on the field is my energy and my reflexes,” Prochaska said. “I know how to positively encourage my team when we are down and I can react and adapt to situations that change instantly.”
Handling adversity remains a work in progress, but growth is evident.
“Pressure is one of my greatest weaknesses,” Prohaska said. “But I never let it get past me…you have to learn to forget the past and move on to the present.”
“My greatest strength is my mentality,” Carlton said. “Knowing where you’re going at all times and staying strong. When we’re down, a lot of it is just communication.”
Moments of joy have helped define the season as much as the wins. One tradition in particular has become a symbol of the team’s unity.
“On the bus every game we sing the same song there and back,” Phohaska said. “Don’t Stop Believing. This has made its way to be a tradition it’s not just brought us closer as teammates, but it develops a growing positive environment.”
The next game is May 9 at Carl Sandburg in Orland park IL.
