CROWLEY (KATC) – When the season began for Notre Dame softball, the only state championship people around the team were talking about was last year’s.
“One of the reasons I took the job, one I was fortunate enough, two, they were graduating so many seniors I felt like it was a fresh canvas,” said first year head coach Dale Serie.
But that has changed quickly behind senior “spark-plug” pitcher Sydnie Simon. The Pio’s ran roughshod through the regular season and head to Sulphur still perfect, 30-0.
A year ago Simon threw a few key innings in the state tournament during the Pios’ state championship run, valuable experience the team will lead on this year.
“She stepped in last year and spring loaded her team to the championship,” said Serie. “She threw a few innings in the championship and so her experience is there. That’ll be good for our younger players.”
“I know the semis was one of my hardest games. It was harder than the championship. I was nervous. I knew I had to be on and really good,” said Simon.
Notre Dame plays Riverside Academy in the division III state semifinals Friday at 1:30.
