By Angie Dediego
Varsity Softball
Varsity softball coach Jeff Pierce is pleased with the team’s performance this year.
“So far the girls are working really hard,” Pierce said. “They’re giving a lot of effort playing with a lot of teams with more experience, but as a whole everyone is starting to come around. We have a good mix of girls they’re competing and doing some things that we haven’t been able to do in recent seasons.”
All of the players are contributing at different times, Pierce said. Pitchers get a lot of recognition, but defensively we’ve had some players step up and do some things, too.
As for state hopes, Pierce says, “We’re still learning about ourselves. I can’t really give a measure about state. I hope we peak at the right time. We’ve gotten better through the season and it’s exciting. I hope down the stretch we can finish strong.”
He also notes that In Class A we’re playing some of the best teams out there. “Do I think we can compete? Yes, but we’ve got to be able to put together as good a game as we can during districts,” he said. “There’s a lot of softball yet to be played in a short time.”
Pierce also celebrated his 100th win this season! “There’s not one of those balls that I’ve pitched or hit, so I have to give credit to the players that have played for me all of those games, Pierce said. “It’s something that I’ll never forget and I’m glad I was able to reach that milestone, but at the same time, it’s not about me, it’s about those girls and all the teams that I’ve been involved with, and I’m really proud of them because there were a lot of teams that fought hard and came up a little short that were just as great. I just thank everybody for giving me that opportunity.
The girls and the coaches gave him a signed game ball that’s now up on his mantle at home. “It’s something that I’ll always keep as a keepsake, and I’ll always remember that particular game at that particular time,” Pierce said.
Pierce also appreciates the support from non-players. “Lots of students and staff have asked about the team. That’s exciting when others get behind the team, and that means a lot. These girls give a lot to represent Lincoln High especially against some big odds at times, and I’m really proud of them and thank the people who are sincerely interested in giving us the opportunity,” he said.
JV Softball
For the last two years the Lincoln High JV Softball team has had tough seasons, but this year things are looking up according to sophomore infielder Dulce Flores.
“The season is going really great for us,” Flores said. “We lost our first game, but we won our second game (1-4) against the Omaha North Vikings.”
With games basically every weekend how does the team prepare for these games? “Well we start off by doing laps , throwing the ball, and pitching the ball around the day of the games,” Flores said.
“We practice every day, sometimes even on Saturday from 3:45-5:45 p.m., but if it’s really hot outside we stop at 5:15.” With 12 girls now left on the team, it’s harder for other to get up on the game. With the games coming up really quick the team feels really excited and nervous at the same time. Also with the coaches’ help it gives the girls more confidence playing the games. “The coaches help us a lot by giving us advice, and we also have our own codes for each other while we’re playing so people don’t understand,” Flores added.
