RUSTBURG, Va. โ Nearly three months ago, the members of the Rustburg softball team were unsure if they would even have a season.
โWe had like a week of practice then we had to quarantine for two weeks,โ head coach Katie Bigham said. โIt was challenging at the beginning because then weโre thinking what if someone else gets it, what if weโre disqualified and canโt play anymore.โ
Now, on the eve of the Class 3 State Softball Championship, they sure are grateful they did.
โOur rally started then we had to pull together and be there for everyone,โ said senior Morgan Smith. โI think that set us up for success when it could have brought us down. We all saw the value in really pulling tight together.โ
The undefeated Red Devils have quite the talent in pitcher Eden Bigham, who has thrown four perfect games this season.
โObviously our pitcher is ridiculous. Sheโs insane. So that definitely helps a lot,โ said senior Carly Hudnall.
And as of late, Rustburgโs dynamic hitting has lifted them over region opponents.
โObviously, our bats have been pretty hot lately, itโs been like that all season,โ she added. โMaybe just gone a little more unnoticed. Just putting balls in play, relying on our defense as well as our pitching.โ
While they may not realize it, most of these players have been preparing for this moment since they were kids. Theyโve been playing softball together for years.
โI mean what a way to go out,โ Smith said. โThatโs what weโve been praying for, what weโve been fighting for, and it would make all our dreams come true especially as an end to our final season.โ
And theyโre just seven innings away from achieving the dreams they had back then.
โI want it so bad for them, for all of them, but especially those girls that itโs it for them, so letโs go out with a bang,โ Bigham finished.
First pitch is slated for 3 p.m. on Saturday in New Kent.