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Sports
By Patrick Browne
The Forest Park Lady Trojan Softball team is playing well and working hard to achieve their goal of capturing their conference championship. Through the first nine games of the season the team has posted a 6 and 3 overall record and a conference record of 6 and 2.
In their most recent foray, the Trojans took on conference rival Superior Central and split the doubleheader. Kaidince Woollard, the ace of the Trojan pitching staff, pitched in both games and despite surrendering runs early in the first game, settled in and found her way to a complete game. The team dropped the opener 13 to 5 as they were unable to come back from the early deficit.
The Trojans turned the tables on the Cougars in the nightcap as Dalaney Wagner opened the game on the mound pitching the first four innings and Coach Kimberly Pekarek turned the ball over to Woollard to close out the game and victory, 11 to 6.
Woollard reflected on the opener, “It started off rough in the first inning and although we picked it up going forward we couldn’t get the lead. They scored six or seven runs right away.”
“We’re playing a lot better than last year and are still focusing on our conference and districts. Our communication is good, we’re getting along well and we’re playing together,” Woollard shared.
For anyone who watches a game or hears of the team’s success, freshman Tessa Bartoszek’s and senior Charlie Larson’s names quickly surface. Charlie is a senior, playing her last games as a Trojan, while Tessa is enjoying her first year on the team.
“It’s so great having another catcher on the team (Tessa) as we play a lot of doubleheaders,” Larson shared. “Tessa knows what she’s doing, she’s very consistent and she bats either first or second in the order. She’s making a huge difference for our team!”
Larson’s comments reflect the upbeat energy of a team that has truly found their way to success. “We’re a close team and we get along well both inside and outside of school. The only challenge is that my senior year is going too quickly!”
With only two weeks remaining in the year for seniors and two weeks remaining in the season, Forest Park is working hard to make the season a memorable one.