Page 182 - 1998.Millard.North

Stealing second base durin g a home game against
Papillion, seni or Meli ssa Bert prepares to dive.
Good base running was important in close games.
photo by Annie Lorsbach SWINGING
Sophomore Katie Anderson pitches a drop-ball to a
Mill ard West batter. The JV team had th ree pitchers,
which helped make up a strong defense. photo by
HoMERUN
Annie Lorsbach

By: Stephanee Finger
Strong senior leadership, hard lose to North Platte and Papillion
work and good defense played a big part in "I was disappointed because I felt
the success of the varsity softball team. we had the potential to be state champi-
"We had really strong senior lead- ons," Rother said.
ership this season. It took good leaders in Warren agreed that the outcome
order to have successful games," junior didn't reflect the team's true capabilities.
Nikki Rother said. Setting a school record for the
At districts, the team went down to number of wins in a season, the JV team
the loser's bracket after losing 0-1 to Nor- played hard and worked together. The
folk. To win districts and qualify for state, girls became friends on and off the field .
it had to play Bryan and then beat Norfolk "My favorite part of the season
twice. was the way we played as a team be-
"The way we came back and won cause everyone got along," sophomore,
districts was awesome- the best feeling JV player Ashley Geis said.
ever! Everyone was committed and really The teammwork helped them win
wanted to do well," senior Jamie Warren many games. Freshman Kerry Farrell
said. said that the best part of the season for the
Pitching was also a key factor. JV team was winning their games and
Both pitchers on the varsity pitching staff, how well they played as a team.
All-Stater Rother and junior Stephanee "I thought we played together re-
Finger, were rated in the top 10 for lowest ally well which helped us to win lots of
ERA throughout the whole season. games," Farrell said.
"Good pitching backed by a great Both teams made improvements
defense really gave us an advantage over this season with hard work and dedica-
a lot of our opponents," Rother said. tion . This, along with skill and communi-
In state, the Mustangs were victo- cation, enabled them to have a successful
rious over Marian 1-0 but then went on to season.

Freshman Maggie Sinclair does a
pop-up sli de into home and scores
a run . The JV team beat Millard
West 3-2. photo by Annie
Lorsbach
Junior Stephanee Finger gives
coach Sarah Sinclair a high fi ve
after getting a base hit against
Papillion. Communication
between coaches and players was
necessary for the team to be
successful. photo by Annie
Lorsbach