HUMBOLDT — The seniors at Humboldt played their last regular season softball games on Thursday night and handled them just like they have every regular season softball game for the past three years, they won.
“It is awesome, especially since I’ve been here for all three years,” junior Makaylah McCall said. “I’m really grateful for that, but I’ve always had a great team to play with, that works really hard. Brad (Piley, Humboldt coach) also teaches us the stuff we need to learn.”
Humboldt won by scores of 15-0 and 19-0.
The Cubs made quick work of a Cherryvale squad that was easily frustrated against the relentless pressure that the Cubs force on the base paths.
“Last year, we hit a lot more home runs and had power hitting,” Piley said. “This year, we are relying on speed and putting the ball in play. We’ve got a ton of speed.”
Despite big leads, the Cubs like to keep the pressure on teams, because they are always keeping state in the back of their mind and know that their aggressiveness is their ticket to a deep run in the tournament.
“We need that mentality (of not quitting) especially when we go to state and it won’t always be 15-0, so we need to have the mentality of never giving up,” McCall said.
With both games quickly being resolved after three innings due to the 15-run rule, the night developed into a celebration for the seniors and what they have provided to the Cub softball program over the years.
No one has been a bigger star over that time than Richey. The All-State pitcher has dominated her way through southeast Kansas lineups.
“It is big to have someone on the mound like Courtney,” Piley said. “It gives our young girls an opportunity to excel.”
The one notch in Richey’s belt still missing is that elusive state championship and the rest of the team hopes that this can be the year they secure that for their ace.
“For Courtney, that is what she thinks about and dreams about is being in that spot (at state) and pulling through as a senior to win it,” Piley said.
Richey is not the only senior who was celebrated on Thursday night. Hannah Hulett missed her junior season, but has returned to the Cub lineup as a senior. Hulett has been constant in the No. 2 spot in the order and patrolled center field for the Cubs all season.
“Hannah is a really good hitter and she gets on-base and does what she needs to,” McCall said.
Hulett is also a mentor to the two freshmen that flank her in the outfield — Aricah McCall in right field and Morgan Mauk in left. Mauk also hits leadoff and like Hulett is a slap-hitter.
“Our first two batters are fast and slappers,” Piley said. “If Morgan just gets the ball in play she is going to get on.”
