Do you need some time to unwind after school, or do you just have a lot of downtime and need something to break up the evening? Seven Lakes Softball is just the answer – there’s constant action that keeps you on the edge of your seat! Here are the top 5 moments from this season so far.

Number 5: Barbers Hill Rematch. Seven Lakes had lost the past two times they had played Barbers Hill, each time losing by a score of 1-0. The first time they had played, they lost on a single home run, and Seven Lakes couldn’t recover. The next time they played was at Barbers Hill, and unfortunately the game ended on a judgment call at first base that went against the Spartans that allowed a run to score, sending Seven Lakes home with a loss. The Spartans could feel how close they were each time to winning the game. Though Seven Lakes had lost those games, they proved to be a problem for Barbers Hill,  the reigning 5A State Champions. When the most recent game came around, Seven Lakes was ready to prove that the third time was the charm. Immediately Seven Lakes jumped out to a 1-0 lead, which fueled everyone in the dugout to keep the pressure on. Later on in the game, the floodgates opened for the Spartans as they scored four in one inning. Seven Lakes did allow a couple of runs late in the game but ultimately secured a 6-3 victory, putting the year-old grudge to a rest. This is one of the best games that Seven Lakes has played as they defeated a very difficult opponent. 

Number 4: Tournament game vs Bellaire. This game, as of now, holds the Game Of The Year title; it was a close game that the Spartans had to rally back in order to win. Seven Lakes was able to get themselves a 2-0 lead early and kept a good Bellaire team at bay for most of the game. The pitching was strong and the bats were keeping the pressure on Bellaire. Unfortunately, when the 7th inning came around Bellaire was able to break out for four runs, leaving Seven Lakes in a 4-2 hole in their final at-bat. This seemed like an impossible comeback, seeing as Seven Lakes went cold the past few innings, but as always with the scrappy team, there’s always a chance. Seven Lakes got key base runners on to start the inning with no outs. Then the top of the lineup came up and the team’s confidence built. The next hitter brought in one of the runners, making it a 4-3 game. Then, with the runner at second stealing third, the Bellaire catcher threw the ball away,  allowing Seven Lakes to tie it up at 4-4. That ended the 7th, and with extra innings starting, the lady Spartans kept Bellaire scoreless in the top of the 8th. Since it was extra innings, Seven Lakes started with a runner at 2nd. The runner quickly stole third,  and freshman Dulce Franco hit a hard grounder, sending the runner home and giving Seven Lakes the walk off win.

Number 3: The celebrations. This is not a particular game, but instead a compilation of the top celebrations adopted by the players this year. One of the team favorites is something they call “Deuces Train”. When the count is two balls and two strikes with two outs in the inning, everyone puts up two fingers on each hand and waves them. This may seem bizarre or unnecessary, but it works in the team’s favor every time, so it’s hard to see why they wouldn’t continue the tradition. Another one that is popular is whenever the team does something good, whether it’s offensive or defensive, is to jump onto the open dugout and just celebrate. Once again, it’s not a lot but it’s still something to get into the other team’s head.  The team lives by the motto, f the other team does not hate you by the end of the game, you’ve done something wrong,” and the celebration definitely helps with that.

Number 2: The HR game. With a big game against Klein Oak on the horizon, Seven Lakes was ready for whatever Klein Oak had to offer. In the bottom of the first inning, senior shortstop Makinzie Stutts hit a two-run homerun, which gave Seven Lakes an early lead and the momentum. Then, in the bottom of the 3rd, freshmen second baseman Dulce Franco hit her first homerun as a Spartan, sending just about everyone into a frenzy of excitement. The homers equal confidence, and confidence creates good plays, and that’s where the cycle of success begins.

Number 1: 20 Strikeout Game. In that same Klein Oak game, the defense came to play, though they weren’t really needed as junior pitcher Amy Abke mowed down the competition. Abke picked up 20 strikeouts and the only other out came from her as well, it being a grounder straight back to her. This game was undoubtedly a night to be remembered because of this feat, as she also did not allow a single base runner or hit for the opposing team. No one had realized that the game was also a perfect game until after the game.  A perfect game which is one of the most sought after and difficult achievements in softball.  A 20 strikeout perfect game is one of the most dominant performances a pitcher can compile .

That’s the top moments of the season so far. If there are this many exciting moments this early in the season, the later part of the season should be just as fun and electric.