Last week on Feb. 2, the Heritage varsity softball team scrimmaged against Midlothian High School. The game was one of the first of the season and while the teams did not keep score, it was a competitive game and viewed as a precursor to this year’s softball season. 

“We use tournament and non-district games to get us ready for district and the playoffs,” Head Coach James Spradley said. “We want to be playing our best softball as we head into the playoffs.” 

For the team, these beginning scrimmages and games are a learning opportunity to show what they are doing well at and where they need to improve. 

“It was one of our first games of the season, so we were still working on some things,” Elizabeth Schmidt (12) said. “My teammates and I have been working so hard to get where we are this year, so I’m just excited for everyone to see all the improvements we’ve made.” 

The softball program has gone through an extensive off-season program and has trained hard for the upcoming season, even putting in extra hours to better their skills. 

“We have players who will stay even longer after practice to get extra work in,” Lenzer (12) said. “We run with our track team as well so we’re putting in a lot of work to become better as a team. We’ve got to get everybody into the routine and keep working hard so that everything will pay off in the end.” 

This year promises to include an exciting softball season as both coaches and players are looking forward to district play and then the playoffs. 

“We have high expectations and a lot of excitement heading into our season,” Coach Spradley said. “Our softball program wants to be at the same championship level as all of the other sports at Heritage. We want to put Heritage Softball on the map as one of the best 4A programs in the state.” 

The team has a few more scrimmages and non-district games before tournament season and then the girls will head straight into district play. 

“I would like our school to know that we are putting every bit of energy into this program,” Lenzer said. “We plan on going far into the playoffs this year and we need all of the support and motivation that we can get from our school. We’re going to make this season count this year.”