10/24/2026
Appreciation may seem unfitting of a tag word for an exit from the state softball tournament; however as I awake, recovering from a wind blown 2 games of softball, that is the exact feeling I have. We, at Eaton softball, do feel it odd posting this on Saturday being that the program has played on the last day of the softball season the last 7 seasons.
That's the source of the Appreciation. Years ago, Hughes and I made it a mission to just get to Saturday's game (the final 4), and once we acheived that - it became a tradition. Even though this team did not reach that goal, we appreciate them all the same!
Firstly, we appreciate this team because of their perseverance. This was a season of adversity. The CHSSA Dominant School rule pushed us up a completion level from 3A to 4A - challenge. Several injuries that forced multiple lineup changes - challenge. A road trip to a tournament in Kansas City against schools with 2600 students, where we are just 600 - challenge. This team never backed down from a challenge. Softball, like life, continually challenges you. This team, although it doesn't get to celebrate a championship, learned a valuable life lesson. A person's character is not defined by their wins and losses, it's defined by how they face challenges - how they celebrate the wins, and how they handle the losses. We fully appreciate how this team embraced those challenges, and faced them together with support and grace!
To our 4 seniors, we appreciate all you have done and accomplished - 2 state championships are rare. More importantly, we appreciate the strong independent women you have grown into. It's hard, because many people measure a program's success by its wins and championships. To us coaches, we measure it by something that is unmeasureable - does the program create and graduate good humans. I can proudly say we went 4/4 this year.
Eaton softabll appreciates our parents for all they have done to help out and take care of the "outside the fence" items. We appreciate all the fans especially the "super fans" who are always there - we see you!
Lastly, the coaching staff appreciates our families for sacrificing time away from us while we are at yet another practice or game. Thank you!
It may be cliche, but this season is definitely one where this mantra fits best.
"Appreciate the journey, as it has more value than the destination. "
