The softball team will play their regional quarterfinal games against Lubbock Coronado Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Plainview.

The team is undefeated in district play and playoffs this season, winning a total of 14 district games to be ranked 32 in Texas. Sophomore Candain Callahan also hit the team’s 72nd home run of the season, breaking an NFHS team home run record.

“I saw that ball and swung as hard as I could,” Callahan said. “It was definitely a feeling to remember. It was one of a lifetime.”

Senior Sarah Bell met the record of 71 home runs in the team’s previous game against Abilene Cooper.

“As soon as we realized we could break the home run record, it was automatically one of our goals to get it,” junior Kyra Lair said. “This game was an opportunity to get it. It was proof we had been working so hard all year, and we finally achieved one of our goals.”

The team was also undefeated in district play in their 2015 season.

“We played hard this year,” senior Brynn Owen said. “We have been achieving our goals. Winning at district was something we wanted to strive for, and we accomplished it, so we’re moving on to playoffs now.”

Lair said in previous years, Lubbock Coronado was the team to beat because Canyon had not beat them in years.

“This year, we played them in a tournament, and we beat them 5-0,” Lair said. “I don’t think we’re necessarily nervous because we’re a very confident team, and we know our strengths. Since we have beat them, it really gives us an advantage.”

Although the team advanced to the regional finals last year, they have never qualified for state before.

“Ultimately, our goal is to make it to the state championship in the first week of June,” Owen said. “We have been preparing every single day. We hopefully can win each playoff game series.”

In the area game last Saturday, Canyon beat El Paso Parkland 10-0.

“When we first started in the tournaments, we lost two or three games,” Owen said. “It made us aware of some of our weaknesses so we could prepare for district and now playoffs. Losing two or three games has been able to help my team become mentally stronger.”

Lair said the team has worked two times harder than last year.

“This year, we have a really big chance of going to state,” Lair said. “We have to continue to work hard to get to that level. We’ve focused on discipline, and we’ve done a lot better at being disciplined than last year.”

Owen said softball is a fast-paced game, especially in playoffs.

“Our stands and our teammates have been known to be pretty loud at times,” Owen said. “That energy gives the team more confidence whenever we’re out on the field because we feed off of energy.”

Callahan said the team members have a great relationship.

“We don’t ever argue or fight,” Callahan said. “It’s a great team atmosphere. That’s why we do so well; because we encourage each other so much. We all love each other.”