218 SOFTBALL OUT Softball team bonds under COVID-19 guidelines. Each sports team at Harding took a different approach in their responses to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA)’s decision to prematurely end the spring 2020 athletic season due to COVID-19. The softball team took the opportunity to grow, both as a team and in their individual skills. Although games were not played in the first half of the season, the team was still able to practice together and compete against each other. The season was instrumental to their growth as a team. “I think the whole team will take away that your teammates will always be there for you through the good times and bad times,” former catcher Briley Feringa said. “We had a tough fall, and everyone wants to stay healthy for the spring.” Without competing in games, the team came up with alternatives to practice their skills, such as splitting into separate dugouts and having staggered weight training schedules. Even with masks and social distancing, one player testing positive for COVID-19 would affect the whole team. “If one player gets a positive test, everyone has to quarantine that has been around that player,” freshman pitcher Jessica Bridges said. Players were prohibited from using to use the locker room, which would have allowed them to bond with their teammates off the field. “The toughest part of the season has definitely been not being able to have as many team activities and gatherings as we typically do,” junior catcher Sarah Hudler said. “In some ways, it’s helped us bond more as we have progressed through the year.” Throughout the 2020-21 season, the team stayed optimistic and persevered through the changes together. “One thing I have taken away from this season so far is how appreciative I am of our coaching staff, trainers and manager,” Hudler said. “The amount of time and effort they have put into making sure we can practice and play softball as closely to normal as possible is truly impressive.” story by Kayleigh Tritschler I got it! Lady Bison softball players Ashlyn Peterson and Nicole Shano have their eye on the ball. Softball games were played under COVID-19 guidelines. | photo by Stanley Morales OF THE PARK
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