Favorite moment this season

#2 Braylen Clontz, Junior 3B, SS, P: Hitting a grand slam in the second round of playoffs and all the moments celebrating with the team.

#3 Reagan Webb, Sophomore OF, 2B: Walking off the game against Union Academy

#6 Cydnee Deal, Senior OF: Hacky sacking after we won 4th round against Union Academy.

#7 Ava Aldridge, Senior OF, 1B: Batting Lindsey in to score the winning run against Union Academy and celebrating with my teammates after we won.

#11 Maddy Hudson, Sophomore OF, 3B, 1B: Beating Pine Lake Prep and Union Academy, those were huge wins against great teams. It showed how much our team has grown and what we are capable of accomplishing together.

#12 Makenzie Powell, Sophomore P, SS, 2B: Advancing to the fifth round by beating Union Academy, who knocked us out last year in the playoffs. It has never been done in Draughn softball history before this season.

#13 Avie Helton, Senior P, OF: Making history with my girls and hacky sacking it up.

#17 Maria Medrano, Senior OF, 2B: When we are all being silly and having a good time in practice while working hard.

#18 Aubrey Childers, Senior 1B, 3B: Our recent game against Union Academy, where we walked off the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. It was a relentless battle and this team never gave up.

#22 Lindsey Hensley, Junior C, 3B: The time I hit a homerun right after my dad got kicked out, and the team was hyped.

What does it mean to you to play for a regional championship?

Clontz: It means a lot to go out and represent Draughn and show everyone all the work we girls have continually put in to be where we are now.

Webb: It means the world, and it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m so proud of my teammates for their commitment.

Deal: I feel like it’s a great way of showing that Draughn softball is more than just a small team from a small school in a small town. We have worked our butts off every practice and every game to prepare for this moment, and it’s all coming together as we wished at the beginning of the season.

Aldridge: It means so much to have the opportunity to continue making history at DHS, and it proves that we are capable of taking it all the way to the state championship now that we have seen we can make it to the regional championship.

Hudson: It means everything because we are the first softball team in school history to get this far, moments like these are exactly what we play for.

Powell: I’ve never been a part of anything like it before, so it is a big deal to my team and me. We have come so far, and we want to finish strong.

Helton: It means so much to me; it shows all the hard work we’ve put in, and it’s something we’ve been working towards all season.

Medrano: It shows how hard our team has been working and how successful we’ve become over the season.

Childers: It reflects all the hard work this team has put in over this season, it shows how this team’s incredible work ethic paid off. There is no other group of girls I would want to be playing in this regional championship with. It is a privilege to represent Draughn High School in this regional championship and to compete at this level.

Hensley: It means so much because all the hard work we have put in is showing.

What do you appreciate the most as a Draughn softball player?

Clontz: I appreciate all the time the coaches put in to us when they don’t have to, and how close we all are as a team and a family.

Webb: The coaches and the players. The coaches are always dedicated and spend so many extra hours with us on the field.

Deal: The girls on the team that never let you go home upset about how you do, they always pick you up when you’re at your lowest. And the fans that show up every game to cheer us on, no matter if we win or lose.

Aldridge: The loving friendships that I have made through the team specifically, they have become like my sisters and are friends that I will have for the rest of my life. I’m thankful that Draughn softball brought me valuable friendships.

Hudson: Our grit and resilience; we keep battling and pushing each other to be better.

Powell: As a Draughn softball player, I have a great coach who pushes my team and me every day and never lets us settle for less. He encourages us and loves us no matter what.

Helton: I appreciate everyone who supports us, from our coaches who put in many hours, even though they have lives of their own, to the parents and fans who cheer us on. Most importantly, my team always has each other’s backs, and they have made this season a great one.

Medrano: I appreciate the coaches and the teammates the most. I will never get to play a game with this same group of girls and coaches again after this season is completed.

Childers: I appreciate the support from this whole community. It is nice to see the encouragement surrounding this team. I would also like to point out some parents who have supported us this season, even including meals for the bus ride to away games. This community around Draughn has created such an amazing environment that is so supportive of this team. I am excited to play in this regional championship for my school and the community that supports us.

Hensley: All the time the coaches have put into this team and have helped and supported us.