Gary Corsair
Hayesville ended the softball season with an 11-game losing streak and anemic 2-12 record, but I will forever view the 2023 Lady Yellow Jackets as winners.
On the diamond they displayed poise, determination and a never-say-die attitude. In the dugout was warm camaraderie and a one-for-all, all-for-one spirit prevailed.
As losses mounted, frustration was evident at times but the girls refused to turn on each other. While other teams screamed mindless chants, the Lady Yellow Jackets encouraged each other, devoted themselves to improving their hitting and defense and listened to their coaches. The Lady Jackets deserved to win a lot more than two. Effort and attitude can only take you so far.
Things would have been different if Mallory Peck with 17 hits, 5 for extra bases and a .333 batting average last year hadn’t missed the first 12 games due to shoulder surgery. Don’t think 17 hits would have translated into a W or two (or three or four or five)? Think again. This year’s leading hitter had 14 hits.
With Peck on the shelf, Hayesville went into battle with three freshmen in the starting lineup and an inexperienced bench.
A win/loss record under .500 was inevitable. Yet the Lady Yellow Jackets played like champions. Lila Roberts led the Lady Jackets with a .317 batting average and .917 fielding percentage while playing center field, shortstop, catcher and running track.
Odell hit .314, led the team in runs and didn’t make a single error in 12 games.
Raylyn Taylor was a revelation at second base, where she made 30 putouts and only made 1 error.
Gracelynn Anderson owned the left field line making 32 putouts and 6 assists from the hotspot.
Bryleigh Krieger led the team in RBIs.
Those accomplishments are no surprise considering that the roster was filled with leaders and over-achievers. Winner.
All five seniors, Addie Bunch, Morgan Crawford, Faith Odell, Roberts and Macie Wagner are honor graduates. Bunch, Odell and Roberts were dual enrollment scholars, all three graduated from Tri-County Community College.
Roberts is senior class vice president, ranked No. 1 in her class academically and is a N.C. Scholar. Bunch, Crawford, Odell and Wagner are National Honor Society members and active in clubs.
Juniors Brianna Curtis and Anderson are honor students, National Honor Society members and active in clubs.
Peck is also an honors student in addition to belonging to HOSA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Beta Club. Taylor is active in HOSA, Future Business Leaders of America, Beta Club and Foreign Language Club.
Kreiger, a freshman, is an honor student and HOSA member. Her classmates Daylyn Murray and Lilly Chastain are good students and solid citizens. There wasn’t a loser on the roster.
The Lady Yellow Jackets may not have won many ball games, but they are clearly winners in the much more important contest – the game of life.