This
year’s varsity softball team members soared higher than they could’ve ever
imagined. Capturing the first place trophy at all three tournaments they
attended, the Lady Chaps posted an overall record of 29-6 and shared the
District championship with Bowie. In the first round of playoffs against Cedar
Ridge April 26-27, the team captured the victory with the scores of 2-1 and
7-1. The team moved on to the Area playoff round against The Woodlands May 3.
However, the girls came up short in the end with a final score of 1-5.

In her seventh year at Westlake, coach Haley Gaddis was blessed with talented
players.

“The team this year was lead by four seniors,” Gaddis said.
“They are the foundation, and one of the reasons we were so successful
this year. Each one not only brought talent to the field, but also an element
that inspired, motivated, coached and brought the team together. This was the
most successful season that we’ve had, in terms of accolades and wins.”

Senior pitcher Elizabeth Carter, who is going to play softball next year at
Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, was happy to end her final high school season on
a high note.

“Winning all of our tournaments [this season], especially our tournament
in Corpus, when we won in the bottom of the seventh, was extremely
rewarding,” Elizabeth said. “Mainly just having a team that wanted to
win and compete made the season that much better.”

Sophomore pitcher and second baseman Lindsey McLeod, who was recruited in
January by Sam Houston State University, enjoyed the camaraderie the team
shared this season, and was sad to see it come to an end.

“My favorite thing about softball is the bonds you make with your
team,” Lindsey said. “They’re really special. It’s hard to explain –
your teammates become your family and I know it’ll be hard to say
goodbye.”

Although it didn’t end the way she might have preferred, Gaddis is proud of the
effort her team displayed throughout the season.

“The great thing about the team is that we know how to have fun, but at
the same time we know how to play hard,” Gaddis said. “Sometimes it’s
hard to be able to do both, but this team has accomplished that. Everyone
contributes in their own way, and the team chemistry is unbelievable.”