Malden High School's girls softball team lining up before their game against Saugus. Photo by Tatyanna Cabral.
This spring Malden High School’s girls varsity softball team is ready to start the season with a bang. With new coach Rachel Timmons who has “such a love for the game [who] likes to be a positive impact for the girls,” and she wants the girls to be prepared to play on the field and give it their all.
The team is made up of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are have a close knit bond as expressed by freshman Mackenzie Furlong. Senior Jasmine Kelly explained that, “the majority of [them] have played on the youth teams and grew up playing softball together.” They watch each other grow and improve as players and as a team. Senior Jillian Powers believes that “what sets [them] apart from other teams is [their] relationship on and off the field.”
The team had their first home game on Friday Apr. 17, 2015 against Beverly. The game started with a ribbon cutting of the newly renovated Callahan Park. The girls played their absolute best, making the students and residents of Malden proud. Senior Robyn Santo mentioned that when she is on the field she is, “focused and determined and [she gets] to forget about everything else going on and just play the game that [she] loves.” The team beat Beverly with a score of 5-4.
During practice and in a game, Timmons wants the girls to remember that, “when [they] are in a game, every play matters,and to notice the little things and know that when something goes wrong, [they] have to move on,” and learn from what they did. One thing that Furlong would like the team to work on is “always staying up and positive.” Timmons wants to push the girls to be the best they can be as well as to develop a strong with each other. Kelly explained that “you have to be aware of what play you individually have to make before anything happens but you also have to be aware of what your teammates are going to do,” and in that way they can help each other.
Kelly “truly [believes] that this season like all the previous years will be amazing,” and that they are all trying to achieve the same goal. Furlong is also, “very excited for the rest of the season.” The team will continue to make MHS proud with the rest of their games.
