Every season has its ups and downs, but it’s how a team responds to those triumphs and failures that defines its eventual success.

Despite having lost two of its last three games at press time, the Inglemoor High varsity fastpitch team has remained positive and looks to the future. With a current record of 7-5, the girls have a strong chance of reaching the playoffs this year.

“A lot of our goals are long term,” senior shortstop and captain Taylor Peacocke said, “but we’re on track. We’ve had some tough losses, but we should definitely go to the playoffs with a good seed. We just need to stay hot throughout the season.”

Much of the success of the season has been attributed to the addition of three freshmen. With no junior-varsity team last year and a large number of positions to fill, the team was taken aback with the level of talent they received.

“The strength of the team is driven by the seniors,” assistant coach Mike Brown said, “but five of our nine home runs have been hit by our freshmen. They’ve really been surprising us.”

While some of the freshmen have been playing for most of their lives, some have just a few seasons under their belt.

“Getting them acclimated to how we play softball has been difficult, but they are doing a really good job,” junior first baseman Holly Sandborg said. “In a lot of ways, we’ve gone over our expectations —some of the freshmen are just blowing our minds. These girls are going to carry this team into the future and I’m happy for them. ”

In addition to teaching the new players the tricks of the trade, the team has been striving toward stronger communication on the field.

“We’ve really been working on picking each other up and staying positive,” Peacocke said.

Learning how their teammates react to different situations has allowed the players to improve their bonds with one another, as well as advance them as a team.

“If someone makes an error, you need to know how to pick them up and get them past the fact that they aren’t doing well,” Sandborg said. “Everybody has their own sense of leadership and does their part to help.”

Now that the season is at its midpoint, the team will be facing some of its most difficult games as the 4A Kingco tournament draws nearer.

“There are a lot of strong teams in Kingco this year, but our chances of getting to state are really high,” junior pitcher Alyson Harrington said.

“We just have to take it step by step.”

More than ever, the next two months will be vital for the overall success of the team. With games every few days and a strong 4A Kingco division, there isn’t much room for error.

“We’re no longer just a group of people who play softball, we’re a team,” senior outfielder and captain Shelby Johnson said. “Now we just need to stay focused and be consistent in our performance.”

Spirits are high on Inglemoor’s softball field, and not without reason. They are prepared to face conference rivals in their final eight regular-season games and more than ready to welcome the challenges that the postseason will bring.

Until then, it’s just one game at a time.