The Portal Panther softball team has endured a challenging start to their season as they have lost the majority of their starters from the previous year. As a result, the team has faced some difficulties early on. One of the notable losses was their starting pitcher, and this year, a freshman named Emma Johnson has stepped into that role. Despite some ups and downs, head coach Travis Motes is confident in Johnson’s improvement and commends her dedication and hard work.
Motes expresses his pride in Johnson, acknowledging her exceptional work ethic. He highlights her determination, noting that she is evolving into a leader for the team. As the starting pitcher, Johnson has been thrust into the spotlight this year, and Motes couldn’t be happier with her contribution to the team.
Johnson also shares her perspective on her role within the team. She believes it is essential for her to lead by example and demonstrate good sportsmanship towards her teammates. Recognizing that there are many young players on the team, Johnson emphasizes the importance of teamwork and enjoying the game together. She acknowledges that the team’s progress has been gradual but hopes to cultivate the same level of motivation they had in the previous year. Johnson strives to build a team with positive mindsets that will lead to success.