With a record of 15-4 and a 8-2 district record, the Jay High School varsity softball team continues their recent trend of winning. Following the softball program’s success, winning is now an expectation for the Lady Royals, according to their coach Brian Watson.
“We have set the bar high and we expect to be (at the state championship game) every year,” he said.
Several of Lady Royal players agree.
“That is our goal is to go back,” said sophomore pitcher Destiny Herring. “We always strive to be our best and go back and win.”
After going to the game in two out of past three seasons, bringing home a state championship continues to the next step for the team.
“I think our biggest thing is staying focused and working as a team,” said Dana Blackmon, who serves as a pitcher and plays first base for the team. “What we all want to do is go back to state.”
Blackmon and Emily Dobson are the only two seniors on this year’s roster. Dobson said the team “works hard and learns from their mistakes really fast.”
While Blackmon and Dobson are expected to provide leadership roles in their final season, some of the younger players are also assisting.
Michaela Stewart, a junior classman who plays shortstop for the team, said she looks after the younger players on the team.
“I make sure everything is right and just trying to get them ready for more varsity ball,” she said.
Watson, who has coached the team for the past 11 seasons, said this year’s team is balanced.
“We have won games with our pitching and then we can win games offensively,” he said.
Watson believes this year’s lineup has the talents and mentality to get over the hump and win a state championship.
“I really do think we have the ability to do that because we can win in so many different ways,” Watson said. “We are right where we want to be.”
Next Tuesday the Lady Royals will host Laure Hill School.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Softball: Lady Royals aim to get over hump by bringing championship to Jay