Softball players hoping to return to form

By Ronald Roe Sports Writer 

The Crete-Monee girls’ softball team is gearing up for their upcoming season, filled with optimism and high hopes for success. However, they are off to a 1-5 start and 0-1 in the conference. Still, the team is working hard to prepare for a competitive season. 

While the softball team is off to a slow start, there are plenty of games left and they hope to rebound. Photo by Genevieve Van Drunen.

Team goals and expectations (setting ambitious targets for wins and playoff appearances, focusing on batting and defensive improvements) will help the Warriors win their games in the season.

Crete-Monee is excited for its first softball game back against ILL on March 18. Players talk about how they prepare for their first game, which includes intense physical training to build stamina and refine skills like batting, pitching, fielding, and base running. 

“Being prepared before the game is important so you can give it your best on the field, and so you won’t be lazy out there, so it’s best you stay active,” Kaylee Slattery said.

Training is also a big part of being prepared and is important for multiple reasons encompassing physical, mental, and strategic aspects of the game. But it helps. It gives you a better chance of getting injured and winning. 

“You should always train if you are a part of something active, but I think even if you’re not part of a sport, you should still get some type of run or walk in throughout the day, but it’s important for us so we can win our games,” Slattery said. 

Crete Monee won their third matchup in their first away game of the season. Janelle Simpson was one of the main factors for our team, and that increased our scoring average to 6.2 runs per game. 

Their next game is against Manteno on April 12, which is 7-1, and their next home game is against Bloom on April 16. 

News Writer -Ronald Roe 

The Crete-Monee girls’ softball team is gearing up for their upcoming season, filled with optimism and high hopes for success. However, they are off to a 1-5 start and 0-1 in the conference. Still, the team is working hard to prepare for a competitive season. 

Team goals and expectations (setting ambitious targets for wins and playoff appearances, focusing on batting and defensive improvements) will help the Warriors win their games in the season.

Crete-Monee is excited for its first softball game back against ILL on March 18. Players talk about how they prepare for their first game, which includes intense physical training to build stamina and refine skills like batting, pitching, fielding, and base running. 

“Being prepared before the game is important so you can give it your best on the field, and so you won’t be lazy out there, so it’s best you stay active,” Kaylee Slattery said.

Training is also a big part of being prepared and is important for multiple reasons encompassing physical, mental, and strategic aspects of the game. But it helps. It gives you a better chance of getting injured and winning. 

“You should always train if you are a part of something active, but I think even if you’re not part of a sport, you should still get some type of run or walk in throughout the day, but it’s important for us so we can win our games,” Slattery said. 

Crete Monee won their third matchup in their first away game of the season. Janelle Simpson was one of the main factors for our team, and that increased our scoring average to 6.2 runs per game. 

Their next game is against Manteno on April 12, which is 7-1, and their next home game is against Bloom on April 16. 

“There is no reason to hate on women softball or any sport played by girls or women; dismissing women from being physical or having skills is wrong. Everyone is talented. All they have to do is try,” Slattery said.

The team leader in slugging and on-base percentage is Janelle Simpson, averaging 0.611 for slugging and 0.647 on-base percentage; also alongside her is Taleeana Ramirez, averaging  0.500 for batting and 0.583 with an on-base percentage. 

Ariana also had the leading home run and 13 runs batted in, Taleeana  Ramirez leads in stolen bases with 12 and in runs scored with ten. In pitching, Janelle Simpson leads with a 3.44 earned run average. 

The Warriors hope to bounce back from their 13-2 loss against Kankakee on April 10 and return to competitive shape. 

“There is no reason to hate on women softball or any sport played by girls or women; dismissing women from being physical or having skills is wrong. Everyone is talented. All they have to do is try,” Slattery said.

The team leader in slugging and on-base percentage is Janelle Simpson, averaging 0.611 for slugging and 0.647 on-base percentage; also alongside her is Taleeana Ramirez, averaging  0.500 for batting and 0.583 with an on-base percentage. 

Ariana also had the leading home run and 13 runs batted in, Taleeana  Ramirez leads in stolen bases with 12 and in runs scored with ten. In pitching, Janelle Simpson leads with a 3.44 earned run average. 

The Warriors hope to bounce back from their 13-2 loss against Kankakee on April 10 and return to competitive shape.