NEWBERRY — Truly setting the standard for the future, the Mid-Carolina High School Varsity Softball team has closed out a successful season.
The girls ended their season with a record of 18-7, having five of their losses coming from larger 3A or 4A schools. In the region, their record was 10-0, making them region champions of Region II 2A.
Leading with the highest batting average of a .435 was senior Felicia Noble, making the overall average for the team .348.
“We had a surprising show of power,” Coach Jared Jones said, “with 12 home runs led by senior Carli Ruff, junior Alix Green and senior Felicia Noble.”
Each of the girls scored three home runs a piece.
Jones said what really helped the team was their good mix of younger and older girls. As eighth-graders, Alex Fulmer and Julie Kinard both hit over .400 for the season.
The team’s “never give up attitude” was a big strength in their season’s success.
“The girls really worked well with one another, picked each other up and were unified throughout the season,” Jones said.
Having played outfield, center and left field, Green really enjoyed the team this year.
“We all got along so well and we never had any problems. Everyone had each other’s back and we played so well together,” Green said.
Ending the season as District II runner ups in the playoffs, Mid-Carolina lost to Pendleton in the championship game. Although a heartbreaking loss for the girls, as well as fans of the team, Coach Jones said they never gave up and should be proud of their accomplishments this season.
“That was one of the best things about these girls, they never gave up. If anyone saw our games they know we made them very exciting,” Jones said.
Freshman Tori Caldwell loves the game of softball and the team atmosphere of the sport so well-represented by the Mid-Carolina team.
“I love everything about the game,” she said. “From the strawberries you get on your knees from sliding to the big innings at the end of the game that our team was known for.”
Coach Jones is the seventh grade social studies teacher for Mid-Carolina Middle School, and this was his first year working as the head coach for varsity softball.
“I am really going to miss the seniors next year, but they all made my first year as a head coach a great one,” he said.
Keeping a positive attitude about the team’s successful season, Ruff said she wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about this season, because we raised the bar so much higher for the program and I wouldn’t want to go out any other way as a senior,” Ruff said.
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