The varsity softball team wrapped up a season defined by growth, teamwork and resilience. Despite challenges early in the year, Head Coach Maureen Leblanc said the Lady Irish finished strong and showed major improvement both on and off the field.

LeBlanc said several games stood out this season.

“Our first game against Mount St. Mary’s was a big one,” LeBlanc said. “We went eight innings and pulled off the win. That was huge for us.”

LeBlanc also highlighted a night game against Woodward, where junior pitcher Olivia Giles threw an impressive performance, as well as Senior Night and the team’s Colon Cancer Awareness game as memorable moments.

The team faced some difficulties, including losing two assistant coaches early in the season.

“That was a big challenge,” LeBlanc said. “We had to bring in new staff, and since most of our players are still pretty young, it took some time to find our rhythm.”

As the season went on, LeBlanc said the team learned how to play as a unit.

“By the end of the season, we really started to understand what it meant to play together,” she said. “We weren’t just individuals anymore, we were a team.”

Resiliency became the team’s word of the year, serving as a lesson that extended beyond the field.

“We focused on pushing through the hard stuff,” LeBlanc said. “Not just in softball, but in life, like in school or relationships. Learning to keep going when things get tough.”

There were plenty of highlights throughout the season, including junior Laney Waldo’s home run at regionals and junior Mya Madu’s throw from the outfield to tag a runner at home plate. However it’s not just on the field moments that the team celebrates.

“And even off the field, like when a player tells me they brought their grade up from an F to a C, that’s just as meaningful,” LeBlanc said.

Another highlight was Madu achieving 100 hits throughout her high school career.

“It was very surreal,” Madu said. “It was a goal I set for myself to reach 100 hits no matter what, but to do it my junior year felt like all the hard work I put in paid off.”

Senior Molly Taylor and junior Molly Milligan also passed the milestone of 100 hits this season.

Looking forward, LeBlanc said the team’s main goal for next year is to reach Super Regionals.

“And more than that, we want to start the season off united, playing together as one family from day one,” LeBlanc said.

With a young but determined roster, the Lady Irish are already preparing to build on this season’s progress and come back stronger next year.