Softball does not get as much attention as some of the other sports do at Oakton. During the springtime, these varsity athletes can be found out on the field most afternoons, conditioning and practicing their skills. Throughout the season, they play about 20 games. However, with the unpredictable weather this time of year, their games are sometimes  cancelled because of rain and lightning. But when the games do take place, they are a great event to go to.

As the sun set on April 29, the varsity softball team played a home game against Centreville. It did not take long for the action to begin. Both teams scored one run in the first inning of the game. In the third inning, Centreville gained a lead when they scored two additional runs. Infielder Georgia Brandt (11) stopped the wildcats from scoring another run, by contributing two outs in the third inning. In the fourth inning, Cassie Brazinsky (9) got on base when she hit a single. Oakton got closer to scoring a run in the fifth inning, when Linda Lyons (11) hit a double. In the sixth inning, right fielder Rachel Lee (10) caught a fly ball for the final out of the inning. During the seventh inning, everybody was on the edge of their seats when Caroline Brogan (12) hit a near home run, and attempted to run to third base. Unfortunately, she was not fast enough, and got tagged out. To end the game, left fielder Nicole Berube (11) slid and caught the ball for the final out of the seventh inning.

Even though the team lost, team spirit was apparent throughout the entire game. When a teammate was up to bat, the whole team supported her by cheering her on from the dugout. In between innings, the whole team would warm up together by passing softballs with each other. At the end of the game, after the loss, the team got together with the coaches and debriefed about the game they had just played. Lee said, “It can be fun, serious, and silly. The team atmosphere varies from time to time, but it’s always where it should be. It’s like another family.”