Gallery • 2 Photos

Julianna Wolff

Varsity softball head coach Haley Gaddis gives pep talk before the game against Del Valle at Westlake High School Softball Diamond April 1. Westlake won the game 13-3.

The varsity softball team played against Del Valle High School at the Westlake High School Softball Diamond at 7 p.m. April 1. The game resulted in a landslide victory for the Chaps over the Cardinals, ending in 13-3.

“We started off [this season] pretty strong,” head softball coach Haley Gaddis said. “Then we had a little bit of a lull, so we needed to have a good win – which we got tonight.”

Westlake scored the most in the third inning, gaining a total of 5 runs. Even though Del Valle managed to score the first run in the game, the inning ended 8-1, cementing the Chaps’ victory early on. Hits from outfielder senior Schuyler Coulson and infielder sophomore Ellie Peterson helped increase the Chaps’ lead.

“As a team, we did pretty well offensively and defensively,” Gaddis said.

In terms of defense, junior Mary Hargett, the pitcher for the beginning of the game, switched out for pitcher senior Sabrina Hudson after giving up a run in the fifth inning. However, Del Valle scored another run shortly after the switch. Infielder sophomore Harper Merriman also contributed to the defensive effort by catching two batters out during the fourth inning, where Del Valle wasn’t able to score a run that inning.

“I was super excited [going into this game],” catcher freshman Gabrielle Churchill said, whose hit helped score a run in the fifth inning. “Honestly, I love playing with my team a lot, so I’m excited to win with them.

The varsity softball team visits Akins High School April 14 for their next district game.