Number one-ranked Lady Eagles move on to area

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Senior pitcher Kyra Lair winds up for the pitch to the plate.

The softball team will face El Paso Bel Air in the second round of playoffs at the Ratliff Complex in Odessa Friday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. after defeating Lubbock Monterey at bi-district. The Lady Eagles were ranked number one in the state heading into the playoffs.

Sophomore catcher Courtney Williams sealed a game one victory against Monterey with a three-run home run to right field in the top of the 5th inning to put the eagles ahead 6-1.

“The score was tight, so I knew when I stepped in the box I had to do my part as a hitter in the line up,” Williams said. “I felt like my home run gave the team some confidence that anyone can hit off this pitcher.”

Williams said the young team was nervous  entering their first game of playoffs.

I felt like my home run gave the team some confidence that anyone can hit off this pitcher.

— Courtney Williams, 10

“I believe in not only myself, but my teammates and coaches as well,” Williams said. “We have to continue to have the championship mindset Coach Coffee tells us to have. We have pretty high expectations this year knowing what we are capable of, and I feel like we have a great team to be back at the state tournament.”

Leading the team with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs (runs batted in), junior short stop Candain Callahan added another home run to the stat sheet in game three against Lubbock Monterey.

“We’re expecting a tough match-up this week, but then again, whenever we play to our highest level I think we will be able to get the job done,” Callahan said. “It will obviously be a big game, because every game in playoffs is a big game. We can’t take it for granted, because once you lose, it’s all over.”

The Lady Eagles were also district champions after finishing district play with an undefeated 14-0 record.

“It’s an awesome feeling, being undefeated in district,” Callahan said. “I think it lets other teams know we’re going to compete. It gives us confidence that we can do this and we can go far as long as we play to our highest level.”

Sophomore right fielder Megan Brewer said her goals this year are to be the best teammate she can be and become better offensively each game.

“We wanted to become more unified like a family, and we have definitely grown from where we were at the start of the year,” Brewer said. “Even though our team is all very different, we all share the love of the game which brings us together.”

My dream for sure is getting to be on ESPN and play at the top of the top with the best of the best.

— Candain Callahan, 11

Brewer said as a sophomore at the varsity level, she has to soak up as much as she can from the upperclassmen.

“It’s definitely like a rite of passage,” Brewer said. “I feel like every young athlete has to do this in high school. Basically, I work on taking notes from them to be the best leader and role model I can be, so one day, I can fill their role.”

Callahan said her coaches and teammates have a great relationship and are all ready to go to work each day to become closer to the goal of winning a state championship.

“Coach Coffee and Coach Haddock are the best coaches I’ve ever had,” Callahan said. “They’re very confident in us, and they always push us to be the best we can be, because they know how good we can be. We have a really good relationship, and they are fun and easy to get along with. They have the same goal as all of us players: to win.”

 Brewer said she remembered being 10 years old and dreaming about playing softball for Canyon one day.

“My mom and my grandma both played softball so they wanted me to live out their legacy,” Brewer said. “Ever since I was little, I pushed myself to be the best softball player I could be. It’s the only sport that I have ever truly loved and built interest in.”

Callahan said being on varsity for three years has shaped her into a leader. She also said she has looked up to and is inspired by collegiate softball players like Sydney and Sierra Romero.

“Getting to see how these girls started out, how far they’ve come and their national championship wins are amazing,” Callahan said. “Softball is something I enjoy doing and I love getting to go out to the field each day. My dream for sure is getting to be on ESPN and play at the top of the top with the best of the best.”