The GRC Lady Cards are off to strong start this season, standing at 7-1 as of April 4.
The team also looked incredible in their preseason games coming home with both victories.
The girls have many goals for this season, for example, leading the district in stolen bases, and look to accomplish them all under a new head coach Matt Puckett.
“I had been away from GRC for the last three years and wanted to come back home to help bring the softball program back to where it was years ago,” Coach Puckett said. “Our goals as a program are to get better each day and have fun while improving, as well as getting the culture to the standards we want for our student athletes!”
While these girls not only have fun improving on the field, they also find ways to enjoy time with each other also based around softball.
Many players seem to enjoy the team bus rides to and from the many away games.
“My favorite time has definitely been the bus rides, more specifically the time that Ryleigh and Alyssa had a dance off,” says senior Abby Horn.
“My favorite memory is when we have away games and it’s time to come home so we all sit on the bus and sing our hearts out,” says senior Aniya McIntyre.
Although the fun of high school softball shines bright, these athletes battle hardships throughout the season.
Softball, like any other sport, is physically and mentally taxing, but our Lady Cards know how to battle.
“Some challenges I faced in softball included injuries during both my 7th and 8th grade years, and again this season,” says freshman Morgan Parks, “I also struggled with being really hard on myself and lacking confidence. What has helped me get through this is having our current coaches. They genuinely believe in us and want to see us succeed.”
No athlete can truly succeed without a high quality coaching staff to support them on their academic and athletic journey, and the GRC coaches do just that.
“I like to think my coaching style adapts to each player on a different level,” says Coach Puckett. “Whatever it takes for the kids to be successful on and off the field. I like to win as all coaches do of course.”
Senior Addy Wilson looks forward to ending her GRC career on a positive note.
“I have been playing softball for about 12 years now; it has been a key part in my life for as long as I can remember and I am looking forward to the new environment Coach Puckett has created around us,” she says.
Coach Puckett has assembled a great group of assistant coaches to aid in his GRC Softball journey and help him create success with this group of young ladies.
Assistant coaches Brian Abner, Gary Preece, Alli Martin, Jeffery Collins, and Joe Edwards are always here for Coach Puckett and all of our athletes.
“Several of my coaches have been with me a long time so it wasn’t hard putting a staff together,” Coach Puckett says. “One of the coaches played for me and I always want input as I’m willing to learn every day from feedback. I trust my coaches and turn them loose in practices as I know we all are on the same page.”
Along with a new staff comes new heights for any program and Coach Puckett wants to make sure the Lady Cards soar to those new heights not only as a softball program but as a family.
“As a team we just have to get the little things right,” he says. “We know this is a tough game and failure is something that you have to overcome. That is one of the biggest things we are trying to improve on. Instead of worrying about the past, play the next play and move forward no matter what. We can’t change the past but we can always try to better our future.”
As the season begins the seniors reflect on their time as GRC Softball players and look back on the program that they have built with the utmost fondness.
“I would tell any younger player to never let anyone get in your head,” says Wilson. “If you are out there you deserve to be, you should give yourself credit when it is deserved and take criticism when it is needed.”
Adds McIntyre: “Don’t fear failure. Mistakes are part of growing up. Learn from them and keep moving forward.”
Horn has this advice: “I would tell the younger girls to stick with it. You don’t get to play this sport for very long so enjoy it while you can.”
The GRC Lady Card Softball team aims for success this season with a new coach but the same goal, to win and bring home a district and region championship.
“My main focus is just seeing improvement daily,” Coach Puckett says. “Hustle and heart go a long way with me.”
Softball team prepares for a game. (photo submitted)
