softball gets LIT The softball field got a makeover with the addition oflights. In fall 2019, the softball program installed stadium lights in their complex. Senior catcher and infielder Briley Feringa said this was something the team tried to accomplish for years, and in 2019, the opportunity presented itself with a generous donation. "Last year, Coach sent out a letter to the parents trying to ask for money," Feringa said. "Andthen just this past season, we finally got that last push we needed to make it happen." The lights installed offered benefits for the program -- both athletically and academically. Senior outfielder Mary Mills Lochala said before the lights were installed, players missed a majority of their afternoon classes in spring semesters because they could not practice after dark. "Playing at night for home series allows us to be able to go to class more frequently," Lochala said. "Wealso will not have to worry about 'beating the sun' to squeeze in games." Lochala said the field also benefited the team in the fall preseason, because they could avoid practicing in the heat for extended amounts of time. Head Softball Coach Phil Berry said the lights had a huge impact on the program, most notably by adding nighttime games to the schedule. "We get to play our Friday games under the lights," Berry said. "We think more students will come, and we will have bigger crowds, and that is always good for us when we have bigger crowds for the games." Berry said the lights were also an advantageous addition to the team's recruiting tools. "I think any time you add something to your facility or your program, it has impact on recruiting," Berry said. "And so it has been nice to publicize that they're here and put pictures out on social media of us practicing under the lights and talk about having night games." Feringa said the lights were something a lot of prospective players looked for when they sought schools to attend and affected their decision to accept offers from Harding. "Our field is so beautiful, but having lights takes it to that next level so we can compete with Division I schools," Feringa said. story by Emma Vaughn "Our field is so beautiful, but having lights takes it to that next level." athletics 227
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