By: Victoria Williamson | Sports Editor
For University of Lynchburg Softball players Sarah Watts and Kate Charlton, their nine-game winning streak and fourth consecutive conference sweep is the hard-earned validation of a preseason designed to handle the high-pressure environment of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
After securing a 4-2 victory against No. 3 Christopher Newport this weekend, senior Watts spoke about the team’s mental strength and how it grew further under their coach’s focus on embracing failure before this season even began.
“One thing that Coach Simmons tells us is to ‘have a bad moment, not a bad day.’ When we go into each game and practice with this mindset, we don’t let one at-bat or play define how the rest of the game will be, and we find ourselves playing with more confidence and trusting our plan,” said Watts.
That trust is echoed by junior pitcher Charlton, who noted that the team’s recent success is refreshing after months of preparation. She credited the now 21-7 record to the team’s accountability and refusal to play tight in big moments.
“A big topic for us has been ‘Trust our Process.’ Keeping that as our main priority helps keep us all accountable to stay within ourselves…When we play loose and trust our coaching staff, Lynchburg softball can accomplish big things,” said Charlton.
To maintain this momentum, the Hornets have decided not to look too far ahead in the postseason. Instead, the group implements its weekly goal-setting system to ensure the team remains focused on the immediate opponent.
“By doing this, we set the tone for how we want our next games to look,” Watts said.
As the schedule progresses, the team’s continued success will depend on its ability to remain steady as competition intensifies each week. By focusing on internal standards and refusing to become complacent, Lynchburg is positioned to have a memorable run this season.
For more information, visit the Official Lynchburg Sports Network.
