The crack of the bat. The blast of the starter pistol. The roar of fans after an ace. The spring sports season is underway and Woodland’s spring athletes have high expectations for the 2022 season.
Boy tennis and girl tennis, as well as track, will be looking to prove themselves. Softball and baseball are looking to build on their very successful 2021 postseason runs after losing some contributors like shortstop Jayden Tomasella and second base May Dawes. Practices started mid-March and the regular season will be in full swing come the start of April. The coaches and captains are very excited to get started.
Last season, the softball team had an incredible undefeated regular season, a dramatic NVL championship walk-off win and solid run through the state tournament. This year, the goals are set high.
”The team and I hope to win the NVL and states this year,” said Isabella Kramer, senior captain.
The softball line-up remains slightly the same as last year, now including the incoming freshman and excluding last year’s seniors. The team looked forward to playing Seymour this season, as the rivals remained the same. The girls were able to capitalize the rivals with a 12-0 victory. Last season certainly has people excited for the start of the 21-22 season.
With an exciting season last year, girl tennis should produce many competitive matches this season with many players returning to the net. A personal goal set by one of this year’s senior tennis captain’s, Brooke Reilly, is to place well in the NVL tournament and make all- NVL.
But an even bigger goal that she and her team hope to accomplish, is to make the state tournament this year. They qualified last year but weren’t able to attend because it was the day of prom. The team hopes to make it again this year and compete. Reilly is eager to play Holy Cross this season, after last year’s close loss. She won’t have to wait long as the team opens the season with the Crusaders. They are ready to bounce back and give it their all for this upcoming season.
The Woodland Baseball team has unfinished business in the league and in the State. They have been knocking on the door of championships since the Class of ‘22 stepped on the field. The team can achieve their goal if they just go out each and every game focused on the game at hand.
“We need to not look too far ahead and avoid overlooking the team we have that day,” said baseball captain Zach Drewy.
Woodland boys tennis team had an impressive record of 9-4 last season and hope to improve on it this season. Coach McEvoy is back for his second season as head coach for the boys’ team. The team returns a strong core of seniors who had success last season including Tyler MacDowell, Tyler Cyr and Andy Hopkinson.
Last, but not least, is the outlook for Spring Track and Field. Senior captain, Eric Meade, has his sights set on an NVL trophy and several school records. The team opened up with its hardest meet of the regular season facing Derby and Naugatuck at Derby. Both teams had successful indoor seasons.
“I want to win NVL’s this year,” said track captain Eric Meade. “No, we are going to win NVL’s this year.”
Be sure to follow Hawk Headlines for schedules and results.
