The Lady Badger Varsity softball team will compete in their second playoff game tonight in Waco at 7 p.m. Last night they competed in their first playoff game at home and lost 11-6 to Robinson. 

“This season has gone really well,” senior varsity player Aspen Wheeler said. “We are a very young team so this season has been filled with lots of growth.”

The Lady Badgers have won 15 games this season and lost 13. 

“I love playoffs,” head softball coach Blakeli Brookerson said. “It gives the girls a different feel due to us competing against new teams. This is where us coaches can see these girls play hard and watch their hard work pay off.”

In preparation for playoffs the team does what they call perfect practices. A perfect practice is where if they make a defensive error they drop their glove and run to the foul pole. 

“Perfect practices hold the girls accountable and it gives them a repercussion for having an error at practice just like they would have one in a game,” Brookerson said. “I’m putting a lot of pressure on them now so these games come easy.”

Wheeler is confident that the team has the ability to take on any team they face.

“Despite being young, I think our team has enough determination and grit to be able to compete with anyone,” Wheeler said. “With that being said, I hope we go a few rounds deep. I would love for my senior year to go out with a bang.”

Wheeler is the only senior on the varsity team, making this her final high school softball season.

“It feels great to know that I am someone these younger girls look up to,” Wheeler said. “I love being a role model and seeing them grow.” 

Wheeler said although the teams face lots of challenges on the field the team is still very close.

“I love my teammates so much,” Wheeler said. “The group of girls have created such a strong and powerful bond that I feel like they are my sisters. They make a sport that is usually filled with failure and countless obstacles, instead be filled with laughter and love. These girls will be my forever family.”