The Celtic Softball team has endured their highs and lows this season. Coming into the season the team returned only four starters and only two seniors. All Conference Senior Pitcher Brittany Gallatin would be returning to the circle for her final season. However, this year she would look to play a new role for her team hitting cleanup in the lineup. All Conference Senior Ashley Clark was also returning and looking to play a new role for the team. Ashley stepped right in as the starting catcher, a position she has never played before.
Starting out the gate slowly the team found wins were not as easy to come by as the past. The Celtics were staying close in ball games, but could not find the consistency needed. The pitching, offense and defense could not find a game where they all contributed. A combination of two of the three were prevalent in most games, but rarely did all three connect. Close contests in the beginning of the season a 4-1 loss to Harrisonville and an 8-7 loss to Sedalia Smith-Cotton.
Returning All Conference Sophomores were Infielders Andi Davis and Kellie Bachkora. Having great Freshman seasons, both look to improve their game that much better with a year under their belt. Both would also look to take on vital team leadership roles. As the leadoff hitter Andi had to be the spark plug to get the team going and Kellie had to turn Andi's hits into runs.
Varsity role player Allison Seck also found herself in a new role. Instead of courtesy running for the Pitcher, Allison would step into a starting Varsity pitcher. Being thrown into the fire vs. Notre Dame de Sion, Allison pitched a great game for her first time Varsity experience. Allison has picked up three of the four wins for the team, two vs. St. Pius X.
Thats a total of five players with Varsity experience. The team would depend highly on first year players to step into the lion's den unafraid. Juniors: Erin Lynch, Natalie Berigan, Peyton Buseck and Carson Burns would need to take the time developed on the JV level and translate it to Varsity. Freshman Sydney White would look to take on a very important key role as the Shortstop.
As the season has gone along the losses added up, but if everything clicked by the end of the year a run could be made a districts. In last nights game vs. St. Pius X ... everything clicked! Every player on the field contributed in one aspect of the game to secure the win. Allison Seck gave up only two runs on five hits. Ashley Clark called a great game behind the plate. Erin Lynch threw a girl out at home on a play she had yet to execute. Andi Davis had 10 putouts and assists. Sydney Davis made a great leaping catch. Kellie Bachkora connected on her first career home run! On any other field Brittany Gallatin connected a monster bomb, but had to settle on a double. And Outfielders: Payton Buseck, Natalie Berigan and Carson Burns all moved to their defensive positions for each batter in the lineup ....... on their own!!!
The Celtics are hitting stride at the right time and look to end their regular season with a win vs. Sedalia Smith-Cotton on Senior Night. Come out and support Seniors Brittany Gallatin and Ashley Clark on their final home game at O'Hara. And O'Hara's first district game is vs. Oak Grove at 4:30 on Wednesday. Come on out and support the Celtic Softball team.
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