Kaylee Davis and Dawson Mullins

Writers

Sliding into the new season, The Lady Outlaws softball team played their first game of the 2022 season on Aug. 9.

The game took place against the Apache Warriors and resulted in a loss for the Lady Outlaws with a score of 0-6

Although their first game resulted in a loss, the team, with the guidance of Head Coach Trevor Hudgens, have high hopes for the season.

Hudgens took charge of his position for the 2022-23 season after three years of being an assistant coach

“I really like our versatility. I don’t think I have thrown the same lineup out there back to back games yet,” Hudgens said. “We have a lot of girls that can play a lot of different positions and the biggest thing about that is they are willing to. It’s my job to figure out how and where to plug the right pieces into the right places.”

Not only has the coach been working to grow and improve, the team’s players have as well.

Senior Parker Hayes has played softball for 15 years, beginning the sport when she was only three years old, and has already taken chances this season.

“The first games were a little rocky, but we all plan on going up from there,” Hayes said. “I actually overcame the fear of breaking my wrist diving again during the Sterling game by diving for a ball.”

The Lady Outlaws achieved their first win of the season against the Madill Wildcats on Aug. 13, 2022.

The team did outstanding work in just their third game with a final score of 15-0.

Since then the team has had three more victories, bringing them to a record of 4-8

Senior Erin Doughty plays as the third baseman for the team and has accomplished impressive feats through the season so far.

One of these feats is successfully hitting a grand slam at the teams ninth game of the season, competing against the Sulphur Bulldogs and resulting in a victory of 7-1.

While Doughty plans to continue putting points on the scoreboard, she hopes to continue building her ability to lead.

“This year I plan to be a leader and set an example that hard work can get you places,” Doughty said. “Since joining softball, I am way mentally tougher than I used to be.”

The Lady Outlaw’s Seniors are not the only team members who have a strong connection to the sport.

Junior Chloe Boyster began her softball career in middle school and currently serves as a catcher and outfielder for the Lady Outlaws.

“My greatest accomplishment through softball would probably be when I got a good hit and scored three home runs when we were losing,” Boyster expressed.

“I plan to eventually get better with offense and work harder with defense this season.”

Hudgens has a positive attitude for this season and thinks positively for seasons in the future.

“I think everybody’s hope when you start a new year is a championship. That’s the end goal. But for year one, getting the culture set and expectations understood are just as important accomplishments,” Hudgens expressed. “My overall goal is just playing more consistent softball. We doubt ourselves a lot, especially offensively. We are good enough, but the girls need to believe in themselves and each other.”

The Lady Outlaws will play their next game against the Dickson Comets on Sept. 1.

The team will continue improving their playing and strive to achieve greatness for Marlow as the season continues.