The Eastview Softball JV squad remained undefeated with a win over Apple Valley last Monday. With top notch plays and clutch hits, the team sure has something to look forward to in the future.

Freshman and pitcher for the team, Mackenzie Hannegraff shares, "we all bonded right from the beginning which really sets us apart from the other teams". The JV softball team says that they don’t have any cliques on the team because they don’t feel it’s necessary to, "we are one team, not four different ones all playing together on the same field" states Mackenzie.

With team bonding activities enforced at the very start of the season, the team automatically saw chemistry on and off the field. “We all have nicknames for each other; along with tons of inside jokes” Sophie Albright, the team’s left fielder says, “It’s really fun practicing because everyone makes it so much fun!”

“It’s nice walking through the halls and my teammates saying ‘hi’ to me” Meredith Cocker, a junior on the team states.

“The very first practice we probably spent about an hour just getting to know each other, and at that point I knew we were going to be a very solid team due to the strong chemistry all the girls had with each other” Coach Jenny Gensch states.

The team has strong chemistry on and off the field along with quality hitters.

Lindsey Cullers hit her first grand slam in the team’s game against Eagan. “it was so cool to come back and hit a grand slam after a girl on the other team had just hit a homerun.”

“We have a lot of key hitters on the team that I know I can count on to put the ball in play”, Coach Gensch says.

“Our bats have really started to come around in these last few weeks of the season, it’s one thing for one person to get on base but when the whole batting roster starts coming around, I really think that’s what keeps us super motivated and always has a positive attitude”, center fielder, Sophie Albright says.

Along with clutch hitters, the team also has outstanding fielders.

“It’s really fun to go and play softball with the other girls because I know that I can trust them to be there and back me up or pick me up when I get down on myself.” Pitcher, Mackenzie Hanegraff says. “When I am not doing so well pitching one inning my teammates are always there to pick me up and keep me going to come back strong in the next inning”.

Last Monday, 8^th grader Maddie Guebert has two extraordinary plays during their game against Burnsville.

At shortstop it’s hard to cover the gaps, so when the ball was hit to the 2^nd bas gap, Maddie came across the field to back hand the ball to get the out at first.

Again, backing up her third basmen, she was there ready to get the ball and fire to first base once again for an amazing out.

“It was sort of intimidating at first being the youngest on the team, but all the others girls were really nice and welcoming, so now we get along great” says Maddie about being the youngest on the team.

The team has a lot to look forward to in the future with more than half expected to move up to varsity next year or even be one of the lucky ones to play up with the region team. Check out the girls this Saturday in the Great 8 tournament in Apple Valley.