Spring Sport Spotlight: Softball by Kamryn Simcox
With the first softball starting up and their first game right around the corner, the softball team starts their practice to start preparing for it. Softball is both a physical and mental game which takes a lot of dedication, time, and skill. Juniors Hailey Cottrill and Jayden Wright are both a part of this outstanding team and both bring a lot to the team. Melbourne High School’s softball team has a great record over the years including being class 6A state champions and 2024 district champions. This 2025 team has a huge reputation to hold from those previous years. For Cottrill, this will be her third year on varsity and has seen the amazing players come through this program, which also means that she has the experience and knows what it means to be on a team and work together to reach an overall goal. She is a middle infielder , this means she can play both shortstop and her main position, 2nd base. At practice they usually do infield drills, running different plays, and game-like situations. “A normal practice typically consists of some stations and both offensive and defensive work,” said Cottrill.
Wright’s main position is third base, also known as the hot corner because quick, hot shots are hit over there and you must have a quick reaction to the ball and be quick on your feet, she is also a utility player, playing anywhere the coach might need her. Catching is another main position for her either being behind the plate for her pitchers or being a bullpen catcher just to help warm them up. “ I play 3rd because it’s the hot corner and I love fielding grounders,” Wright said.
When having such a competitive schedule it’s always good to set goals for yourself , whether they be easy goals you know you’ll reach or really high goals that you push yourself as much as you can to reach, “My main goals for this season are to grow as a ball player, make new connections, and win games,” Wright said. For Cottrill she wants to make tons of memories and grow as a team. But for this season there are a couple games that are going to stick out above the rest and that is the rivals, for Melbourne our rivals have always been the surrounding schools. "The team I’m mostly looking forward to playing is Viera, because Melbourne and Viera are somewhat rivals and the game is always competitive and filled with talent,” Wright said.