Names are called, stories are told, and memories are shared. It’s the night that all athletes are excited for, yet sad about from the moment they first put on their school uniform: senior night.
Monarch softball players and coaches celebrated their seniors Monday night and were able to top the exciting night off with a 13-0 win against Lincoln Northstar. 

The evening started off with the seniors gathered in the dugout. They were called one by one with their favorite memories and future plans being shared. As they walked out when their names were called, they were greeted by their teammates with gifts and then continued out onto the field in their positions with their parents by their sides. 

“All of the parents and coaches made the night so special for us,” senior Sofia Hurst said. “The coaches got team shirts with all of our names on them, and made the night all about us.” 

Hurst was able to make her senior night even more special by hitting a home run her first time up to bat.
“It felt so amazing to hit a home run on the first pitch of my first at bat,” Hurst said. “I have wanted that for myself since I can remember, and it was a big moment for me.”

Hurst wasn’t the only senior who had a good game to make senior night even more memorable. Shortstop Eden Ford and left fielder Maddy Delos Reyes each had hits along with third baseman Alex Stoner hitting a home run. Senior pitcher Grace Anderson also pitched a no hitter and had two hits herself.

“No hitters are always nice, of course, but being able to throw one on senior night felt pretty good,” Anderson said. 

While the night focused on the seniors, they couldn’t have made it through the last four years without the support of their teammates. 

“It has been awesome to be able to be part of a group of people who all want the best for each other,” Anderson said. 

Seniors or not, the members of the Monarch softball team are a part of something special. The memories that they look back on now and continue to make as a team will be something that never leaves them.