by Tim Delouchrey
Sports Liaison
“I love softball!”
The speaker of those words, two year varsity softball player Morgan Ross, has become a rising star after an exceptional season as a junior. It was her second year playing at the varsity level and she has solidified herself amongst the few non-seniors with consistent playing time.
Ross has a passion for softball, which she says is “one of [her] favorite sports.” She enjoys every aspect of the game, both on and off the field.
“Some people think softball is a slow sport, but in my opinion there’s just so much anticipation that always builds and you never know when the ball is gonna get hit to you so you have to be ready all the time,” said Ross. “Especially when it’s a close game. It’s not like basketball,” which Ross also plays at the varsity level, “where you can just run down and score and get more points. You all have to work together to get hits. It’s a team effort. It’s not like one person can just win the game by themselves.”
Ross has been playing softball since she was in just third grade. Though she was resistant toward her parents idea for her to join a team, she latched on to it fairly quickly.
“I had to refused to play a team sport before then,” recalled Ross, “[but] after the first day [of practice] I said to my parents ‘Can we please go back again tomorrow?’”
Ross went on to play all three years in middle school as well as on Waves, a club team. Ross credits the Waves organization for helping her form a strong bond with her teammates.
“Almost all of us have played on a Waves team since we were really little. A lot of us have played the same position so now there’s no drama. We’re a very cohesive group. Coach helps out with that too and always makes sure we are playing our best together.”
Ross and her teammates enjoy a close relationship off the field as well.
“We try to have a lot of spags whenever we can. We also do some strange things, like go to Plaster Fun Time,” said Ross with a laugh.
“Whenever we have days off we like to try to do stuff before or after games. We all have a bond and that helps us work better as a team.”
The fans are also an aspect of the game that Ross thoroughly appreciates.
“We love all of our fans,” said Ross. She also singled out one fan in particular: history teacher Richard McHugh.
“He is my favorite! I play left field and he always sits there and I love it.”
Junior teammate Marie McGorty, who is also a close friend to Ross, said “Morgan is such a good player. She puts in more effort than anyone I know. She is both dedicated and extremely humble.”
