On Thursday, May 2nd, Tri-Valley Varsity softball honored their graduating seniors. The rain delay couldn’t stop the crowd from celebrating with the seniors, there were tents setup with gifts and a cake for the girls.
Coach Laura Seward started off the celebration by addressing the crowd and saying a few words about her seniors “These girls came in as freshman and did what they needed to do. You can see the respect the younger girls have for them, they’ve been phenomenal.”
Each girl got a chance to speak with a prepared statement (most of them anyway).
#9 Kearstin (Utie) Demolt – “I would like to thank my parents for all of their support and for coming to every game. A special thanks to my surgeons, If you would have told me 6 months ago that I would be here, I wouldn’t have believed you and I am thankful for all of the support “
#12 Brooke Hunter – “After my shoulder surgery I never thought that I would throw a ball again or even be able to play to my full potential. I want to thank my grandparents for always coming to my games and being there to support me and always being there for me. I want to thank my sisters for being my strength and standing with me through everything I do and never giving up on me. And last but not least I want to thank my parents , my biggest supporters in life”
#11 Cheyenne Coleman – “These past years of softball have been amazing, and playing with these girls since I started got us all close and maybe even too close sometimes. I don’t look at you guys as teamates anymore, I look at you as sisters!”
#2 Alex Lemley – ” I never really known a time when softball wasn’t a part of my life. I grew up at late night mens slow-pitch league at riverside and all I can say is Wow these season has gone super fast. Though I did not start here I will always be a Dawg at heart. Before this team I wasn’t planning on continuing my softball career, but through the coaches I have found my love for the game again and new this was where I wanted to spend my next four years in the spring.”
#6 Hannah Worthington – “The Tri-Valley softball program will always have a place in my heart. I do not only have teammates that stand beside me, but sisters, and my coaches that I will use not only in the game but throughout life. To my teammates, do not take any game, inning, play, or at bat for granted thank you for doing everything you that you could for this season for all of us”
#16 Savannah Shumway – “I would like to thank my coaches for always encouraging me and pushing me to do my best. My freshman year I moved to Tri-Valley so that I could play for a team that wanted to win and cared for the sport as much as I did. I will never forget the memories and friendships I have made with so many of my teammates”
#13 Janessa Dawson – “I would like to thank my teammates for always being there, pushing me and Utie yelling at me and everyone just making me aggravated so I’d play better. I would like to thank the Lord for being there for all of us and without him I don’t think Utie would’ve been able to play this year. And I want to thank you guys for making this such a great year! “
#5 Reagan Baughman – “Mine will be very short and sweet, I just want to thank my parents and my sister for all of the time and money that they have invested in my softball career allowing me to go and better myself in the sport that I love. And I want to thank my awesome teammates, my fellow seniors and everyone above us and below us who I’ve played with. You guys are awesome and we have had some much fun!”
Senior field manager Jesse Mahon didn’t have a speech for the group but the other girls screamed out that they love their field manager.
It was a great celebration for the girls and their families. These seniors will be sorely missed but definitely not forgotten as is evident from the crowd and the younger players who look up to them!
