How much confidence was built from the initial victory over the highly ranked Reservoir team?
Reworded: I believe our offseason preparations went well. Many of us participated in travel games and regularly lifted weights multiple times a week. Even after basketball season, I continued to lift three times a week to ensure that I would be ready for the upcoming season. I think everyone else did the same. We were committed to lifting and practicing multiple times a week in order to be ready to win the county championship.
When did it become apparent that this year’s group could be extraordinary?
Jamie Shaw and Reese Holden, the senior captains, were interviewed by the Howard County Times about their anticipation for the playoffs and their success in winning the county championship.
Jamie is currently yelling at everyone. We discussed the possibility of creating a softball team in the future.
This experience showed us that with determination and a positive mindset, we are capable of achieving anything. It boosted our confidence, especially after our previous loss to River Hill. We entered the game with a better mindset and ultimately won, giving us the confidence to face the challenges in the upcoming weeks.
I am hopeful that we will succeed in the regional competition. I am thrilled to witness our perseverance through challenges. Despite having an injured player, adversity will be our motivator. Frederick County is filled with skilled opponents, and being in Class 2A, we must face them. We need to overcome adversity and improve our performance in order to defeat strong teams.
“I’ve noticed a strong connection among us towards the end of last season, which may seem strange. However, there has always been a positive dynamic between our upperclassmen and us, Jamie and I, as captains. As a four-year varsity player, I have never experienced such a strong bond within a team. We may have disagreements, but we always find a way to come together and learn from our practices and days.”
Where do you believe you and your team have shown the most growth from last year to this year?
Jamie Shaw reflected on the start of the season, noting the returning players and second year under coach Anna Pallozzi. With a strong lineup and skilled players, including pitcher Bella Wisniewski and pitcher Kaylee Brogan for depth, the team had a lot of potential. Despite potential challenges, Shaw realized that this season was unique and promising as they continued to beat opponents by a significant margin.
We are aware that we have a strong team, but we also recognize that we will face tough opponents. I am excited for the challenge and enjoy competing. Our team thrives in competitive games and tends to elevate our performance against strong competition. I can’t wait to see our determination and progress throughout the season.
I believe that Reese has the potential to be a great coach because of her extensive knowledge of the game. As for Bella, her expertise in pitching makes her a strong candidate for a pitching coach role. She would excel in that position. JS: We have improved in every aspect of the game. Bella [Last name] and Kaylee [Last name] have given us great depth in our pitching staff. They really go out there and do the job, what’s asked of them and more. Our hitting really came to life this year with a bunch of girls hitting over .500. Our approach has been really good up at the plate. Our defense, we filled some gaps that we had last year.
What feelings did you experience when you were awarded the county championship?
Last week, Glenelg’s softball team secured the Howard County championship by defeating Long Reach. The Gladiators (15-1, 14-1 in Howard County) have won nine consecutive games to finish the regular season and hold the number one seed in the Class 2A West Region II playoffs.
Which team member do you envision as a coach in the future?
I believe that in order for me to make a game-saving play, it would have to be a spectacular catch, like a diving catch or a home run robbery over the fence. Being in the outfield brings me joy as I am able to stretch out for balls and make impressive catches.
The following passages have been condensed for conciseness and lucidity.
I was extremely pleased to see our team succeed, as we have many talented players. Additionally, we all put in a significant amount of effort to make our team the best it can be, so it was gratifying to see that hard work pay off. In that final moment, I believe we all felt a sense of relief and were excited to continue our success in the playoffs.
Reworded: The experience was indescribable. After consistently losing in regionals or against Reservoir, it was bittersweet. As a senior, I felt a mix of joy and sadness because of my love for this team. I deeply appreciate Coach Pallozzi and the euphoria of winning with a team I care for deeply.
If I offered you the option of making a crucial defensive play or a game-winning hit, which one would you prefer?
What are you most thrilled about with the playoffs approaching?
Reworded: A game-winning hit. The act of hitting is often the most enjoyable aspect of the game. If you’re not able to hit, you typically dislike it.
I believe our turning point was not the win against Reservoir, but rather the loss to River Hill the day before. On that day, I had a realization that we were a strong team. The following day, when we faced Reservoir again, we were determined to defeat them. And after that victory, we were more confident in ourselves. When we played Reservoir a second time, we had no nerves; instead, we were determined to win. It wasn’t about how good Reservoir was, but about who we were as Glenelg. This year, we have established ourselves as a strong team.
