Fresh Faces

BRADEN RIVER — Growing up, they stood shoulder to shoulder, peering through the chain-link fence watching their predecessors make history.

They watched the Braden River High softball team capture three district championships, a regional championship and a berth in the state semifinals in the past five years.

They saw an All-American pitcher hurl a pair of perfect games en route to Player of the Year honors.

And they learned what it means to play for something larger than themselves.

Now, six Braden River High freshmen plan to rise to that challenge.

It’s been a season filled with ups and downs and learning curves for Lexie Phelps, Zaire Yancy, Sarah

Crawford, Myah Moy, Kinsey Goelz and Ali Yawn, but it’s also one they wouldn’t trade for anything.

The six freshmen — who make up half the starting lineup — spent the better part of the season adjusting to nervous energy, new teammates and a new environment.

“The intensity is so much stronger,” Yawn says. “You’re playing for something more than a trophy. We’re playing for our school and (ultimately) to see how far you can go in the district and the state.”

“We’ve had to rely on each other more,” Crawford says.

With six freshmen on its varsity roster — the most Braden River has ever had — the Lady Pirates were bound to have their fair share of frustrations.

But, even during their early season struggles, the girls never lost their passion for the game.

“It’s been fun,” coach Erin Spivey says. “Freshmen bring a sense of happiness. They are so excited to be a part of the team and (represent) their high school. They are excited about it and about life. They’re a unique group.”

Over the last few weeks, the freshmen, who all start on a regular basis, have come into their own.

They’ve gotten past their initial anxieties and have stepped up to the plate when it counted the most.

“We all have a mindset to be a leader,” Crawford says. “We all do a part for this team, and everyone is there to pick you up if you make a mistake.”

“We had to get out of a little slump,” Phelps says. “Once we built a bond, we got into a groove and basically just tried to have fun. We knew we could do it, and it got a lot easier and more fun.”

On April 15, Braden River began its quest for its third-consecutive district title.

Bouncing back from an early season slump, the freshmen helped lead the Lady Pirates to the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the Class 7A-District 10 tournament.

Braden River played host to the winner of the district quarterfinal game between Palmetto and North Port in the district semifinals.

“The freshmen very much believe that when it clicks and when they want to play, they can perform,” Spivey says. “They can do it when they want to. They realize that even though they are good, they’re still a young team.

“They’re a very positive group,” she says. “There’s a lot on the plate. We expect a lot.”

Results were unavailable as of press time Tuesday.

Be sure to check YourObserver.com to see how the Lady Pirates faired. The winner advanced to the district championship April 17 to face the winner of the other semifinal between Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].