Every team sets goals for themselves in the preseason—things that they would like to accomplish, improvements that they would like to see. They start their season hoping to accomplish their goals, maybe even exceed them. LM softball started their season hoping to do better than last year, produce more wins, and overall improve as a team. Now, midway through the season, LM is performing as predicted. Coach Dan Milio described LM’s performance: “Our team is performing as I expected.With a young team, I expected a few bumps in the road as we learn how to play with each other and get used to each other’s style of play. But the team is growing and playing better each day. There is plenty to be happy about.” With only two seniors, LM softball is made up of almost all underclassmen, making them a very young team.
LM softball has faced many challenges so far this season, most of them connecting back to the lack of previous success in the softball program, which has further led to a shortage of upperclassmen. When playing teams like Haverford or Conestoga, who are known to have very strong sports programs, LM softball has found themselves at a disadvantage due to only having two upperclassmen and having to build its program up from the ground. However, even with these challenges, this new team is bringing culture back into the program and is trying to change the environment of the program. The Central League is a difficult league to be a part of, and as Ellie Pell ’27 stated, “There are some really talented teams out there and…some days aren’t going to be our best. But even with all of that, we still find ways to have smiles on our faces and keep each other pumped and positive.”
At the plate, LM softball is not as consistent as they would like, alternating between games with multiple hits to games where only one or two people get on base. LM’s struggles at the plate have proven to be one of the weaknesses this season along with closing out games and trusting each other. LM has found themselves in a handful of close games and has struggled to come out on top, as pointed out by Milio, who recounted, “Our team weakness is learning to win the close games. It is difficult to keep your composure while in the middle of a tough inning, but we need to remember that we are a team and that we can trust each other, coaches included.”
On the other side of the ball, LM softball excels in their defense and communication, always knowing where the play is and making amazing grabs. Everyone makes mistakes and LM softball is able to put mistakes and miscues behind them and keep their head up, recognizing that every team has slumps and that every team loses at some point, as Milio pointed out. Even through tough loses, teammates are always there to pick each other up and shed light on the moment. LM softball is dedicated to practicing with improvement in mind and is committed to the team goals set at the beginning of the season. LM has already seen the benefits to putting work in during practice, with more wins than last season and the results shown on the field and at the plate.
A team is meant to support their teammates, no matter the situation, and LM softball does just that. Pell expressed, “The team is always there to find ways to cheer up teammates who are having a bad game and make sure that we are one team and that we stick together.” LM is always bright and positive, even when people have bad games, the team finds a way to encourage each other. Milio noted, “I believe our team chemistry is great. I see how everyone communicates and picks each other up.We had a few tough losses and nobody pointed fingers and we keep encouraging each other and moving forward. It’s a great group of girls.”
Now with the end of the season nearing, it is time for LM to accomplish their goals and continue playing with the cohesion that they have shown so far. LM softball is committed to making the team a good environment and ending the season with a bang.
