This season, the Lady Bears softball team displayed hard work and fortitude, all while winning games. The girls applied themselves to power through long practices, training new members, fighting to win games, and ultimately grew closer as a team. The team had a 7-11 record that showed extreme improvement from the previous year.

From losing every game in their previous season, to winning seven, the Lady Bears are proud of the progress they have made this year.

“The girls brought an energetic, fun loving, and hardworking energy to everything they did,” said head coach Ethan Grant.

A key game this season was the victory against East Austin Prep back in March. At the start of the game, Brentwood Christian School was down 9-2, but after getting a second wind in the third inning, the girls came back and won. The final score of the game was 20-13.

It was a similar story against Waco Reicher on April 6. The girls were down by 10, but they ended up finishing the game with a final score of 19-14. Senior Jolie Shepard won the game in the circle and led the team to victory.

“The team showed grit through the season by showing up to every practice, even though a lot of girls were new and we had new pitchers,” said senior Reese Hertel. “We pushed through adversity and kept a positive mindset even though we didn’t win every game.

“We got better throughout the season and played hard with integrity and grace.”

Shepard, who did not play as a junior, returned to the lineup her senior year, leading the Lady Bears in nearly every offensive category and becoming the team’s workhorse pitcher in the circle.

The team added four new players: freshmen Juliet Montier and Kenlee Rubin, and sophomores Angelina Garza and Faith Bollinger. None had played the sport prior to this season.

“People who have never played before made plays (shoutout to Montier), and while we came up short in the end, the competitive spirit and fun made my emotions run high every night,” said junior Ella Kennedy.

The girls had an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot versus Grace Community in a doubleheader. Sadly, the Lady Bears fell short in both games.

“One of the toughest moments was losing to a team we knew we could beat,” said Hertel.
“When we didn't get the spot, the disappointment was extreme,” added Kennedy.

Even with the losses to Grace, the Lady Bears were able to win two district games against Bishop Dunne, breaking a two-year streak without a district win. They won the first game, 24-5, and the second game 23-7.

The Lady Bears improved tremendously overall. They will come back next season with goals in mind.
“As a team I hope to improve our record,” Kennedy said. “I hope for the new girls to grow and improve...I hope for the team to take work in the offseason seriously [so] we make it to the playoffs.”

Even though a majority of the team was young, they will unfortunately be losing three vital seniors: Zuriel Davis, Hertel, and Shepard. All three were all-district players and starters for the program.

“The team grew in more ways than one, but mostly in our teamwork,” said Davis. “Our friendships, and everyone getting closer together, helped our trust in each other during plays and helped keep people hyped.”