Article by Sharon Parks and Barry Narramore
We are coming to a close on another successful season of middle school
softball at Midway. With 7 wins so far the Lady Waves will face Rockwood at an away game on Monday, September 26th at 5:00.
The Lady Waves faired well during the 2004 season placing 3rd in the
Southeastern Middle School Softball. The team returned to the field this year with only 5 players from the team last year due to losing an abundance of 8th graders that moved on to the high school.
Starting with a young team and three experienced 8th graders didn’t hold back the Lady Waves during the 2005 season. During the preseason “Sweet Sixteen Tournament” the Lady Waves place 7th out of 16 teams. This is something for our community to be proud of since we were by far the smallest school in the tournament which involved several schools that had well over 1,000 students enrolled compared to our middle school who averages approximately 200 students. Wins in the tournament included Lake Forest and Polk County.
Returning 8th graders Michelle Campbell, Michelle Walden and Haley Parks have stepped up to the plate to lead their team, player-coach and encourage the younger players to work hard. These three ladies are versatile and can play in a variety of positions and are very willing to do so. The three of them realize that a valuable player has the greatest impact for the TEAM and not a “particular” position. They have shown up both offensively and defensively with strong bats and smart base running. Campbell can be consistently depended on for her famous line drive, while Walden and Parks are “Big Bats” on the team are willing to eat the dirt in a good run down between 3rd and home any day of the week.
With Taylor Narramore stepping up to the mound this year as a 7th grader to fill the shoes of Hannah Colyer, the team has done very well in their district. Narramore has really given it her all and has been very successful on the mound. She has an understanding of the game and realizes there are 8 more players out there and the game is about the team and she has confidence in them that they will back her up!
Infield for the Lady Waves has included appearance of two 6th graders and a first year 7th grader as starters. Haley Patterson and Kayla Hamilton have proven to be solid players and not let their size hold them back with Hamilton at first base and Patterson alternating between second and center field. Paige Morree is a 1st year player on the team as a 7th grader. Morree has done an excellent job alternating between second and center field.
The outfield has seen a variety of players. With 16 players on the team and an abundance of hard workers, the outfield is frequently subbed in and out with the availability of free defensive substitution in this league. It has
provided an opportunity for the team to gain valuable playing time and experience.
Midway Middle School Lady Waves just love playing softball at “Sweet Home South of the River!”