“You can’t always control the circumstances- only how you react to those circumstances; you can always control your attitude and your effort and remember never limit yourself, or be satisfied.”-Jennie Finch
These are the words by the ASA/USA Hall of Fame pitcher Jennie Finch that the Madison Southern softball team has lived by this season. There has been several situations in certain games this year when Southern has had their backs against the wall. However, the maturity and talent on this team has prevailed. Recently down 2-0 on the road in the last inning against a gritty Mercer County team, the Eagles found a way to tie up the score and take the game to extra innings where they would eventually find a way to win 4-3.
The Lady Eagles have been notching win after win as the season goes along with a current record of (18-7) overall, and (4-0) record in the region. Three of their top wins have been against top 25 teams, including Bourbon County, Clay County, and shutout against top ten rival Woodford County. Their success has not come unnoticed. The Lady Eagles are ranked this week in the top 20 for first time in school history by the Kentucky Prep High School Coaches poll. Max Preps has Madison Southern ranked 17th. According to the KHSAA, the record for wins in a season for the Mad South softball team is 21, which was in 2014. Southern also won the district that year for only the second time in school history.
Last year the Eagles took home the hardware in the district with Abbey Stepp in her first year of coaching. That ended a four year district drought, brought home the third district title, and set the tone for this year.
There are 6 games left in the regular season, with three of those games at home, and senior night set on May 15th against an Anderson Co. team that always shows up to play their best against the Eagles. Madison Southern will host the district tournament May 18-20.
An opportunity for history is on the table. Reaching 22 wins would make the most wins in school history, winning back to back district titles would be the first time ever. When asked about the upcoming post season play, sophomores Caylen Conrad and Tessa Juett agreed, “ This is the time of year we love the most. It’s win or go home. We want to be sharp as an iron in everything we do this time of year. Whether it’s being disciplined at the plate, or making no mental errors in the field.” The two also noted when asked about their goals for the end of the year, “win district, win region, and compete for state!” A winning attitude is contagious and it’s showing for the Lady Eagles.
