Softball team slides into victory

The varsity softball team placed third in District having accumulated an overall District record of 7-5. They follow Hays and Vista Ridge who took first and second, respectively. The third place finish and chance to advance past District all came down to the April 7 game against Lake Travis. The Chaps beat the Cavaliers 3-2, earning the third spot in the bracket.

“I was just so excited when we beat Lake Travis to advance,” utility player senior Amanda Ernst said. “It has been such a hard year for us, but the fact that we made it to playoffs really shows my less experienced teammates that they can do it, and I am just so happy that our hard work paid off.”

On April 27, the Chaps lost the bi-District playoff game against Johnson High School, 3-10, knocking them out of the run for State.

“Softball may seem easy to a lot of people, but it actually takes a lot of work,” Amanda said. “My team put in 110 percent at each game and practice and were always supportive of each other. I’m just so proud of how far my team has come from the start of the school year.”

Even though Amanda is graduating this year, she said she believes that the softball team can make it to State in the near future.

“I know that this season is at an end, but for us to place in District just makes all the soon-to-be seniors on our team so much more engaged during practice, which is good because this helps our team morale grow. As for next year, I think Westlake will make it all the way to State. Our coach is really proud of us now, but still believes we can do better. I’m just so excited to see how Westlake will do next year. I know that all the sophomores, juniors and seniors will be training hard, and I know that State is locked on and in our sights.