As weather heightens and winter sports cease, the RHS softball team prepares for the upcoming season through goals and expectations put in place by the various coaching staff members.

The team’s goals include securing the Suburban League Title and welcoming the new varsity assistant coach Jess Richards. Pitcher and senior athlete Demi Boyazis commented on her expectations for the season.

“I hope that we end up being the best team we can be, and hopefully come out with the Suburban League Title at the end of the year,” Boyazis said.

Varsity head coach Gina Hartranft joined the RHS softball coaching staff four years ago. Hartranft detailed her goals for the season.
“This season should be a great season. The girls are committed to the program, and they want to win a league championship and a state title,” Hartranft said.

Although a Suburban League Title is a goal, obstacles are present. Boyazis discussed this.

“We lost an all-state catcher last year and four other crucial players, so we have many spots to fill. It will be interesting to see who will step up and take those positions, but almost our whole infield is back. We only have seven people coming back this year so it is critical that some of these underclassmen play critical roles for us,” Boyazis said.

Following the conclusion of the 2014 season, the team experienced an extensive offseason training schedule including an optional winter league for athletes wanting to expand their experience and talent. According to sophomore athlete Cheyenne Bondra, preseason conditioning is of the utmost importance. Bondra commented on her offseason training experience.

“The team has participated in a winter league at the Brunswick B.A.T. Cage every Sunday, which ended in January. Also, [the team participates in] open gyms every Tuesday and Thursday,” Bondra said.

As the seniors face the last fourth of their high school softball career, many reminisce upon their experience thus far. Boyazis detailed her last four years.

“Revere has prepared me for the next level with the coaching staff and my teammates. I’ve learned so [much] about the sport in the past four years. Coach Gina knows more about softball then anyone I know; her main motto is ‘play with one heart’. This is so important to everyone on the team because it reminds us that we are a team and the only way we will win is if we each do our part instead of playing individually,” Boyazis said.

Senior athletes include Demi Boyazis, Megan Gilroy and Megan Shepker. The team began practice on March 23 and will venture to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina over spring break, where they will face their first opponent on March 28.