Pictured is senior Bayleigh Lipham
“It’s no secret that COVID-19 has been detrimental to our program and many others. For weeks we have not been allowed to get together and practice or be on campus to use facilities. Through this, I have challenged my girls to stay active and continue to work on skills. They share videos of themselves working and I provide feedback that way. This has proven effective to keep communication lines open between us and for me to see who is bettering themselves.” Unfortunately, this has been the new routine for Waldron Lady Bulldogs head coach, Bailey Moore, and her players due to the effects of this epidemic on their softball season.
Although the Lady Bulldogs were able to get a tad more games in their record book than most other teams (seven total) the canceling of their season doesn’t hurt any less. Loaded with a roster of young talent, Coach Moore was looking forward to being able to use this season on the field as a learning and growing platform to help pave the way to successful future seasons. This season was also the last time senior, Bayleigh Lipham, was going to be able to participate in softball during her high school sports career. Known as “The Force” every time she stepped onto the field, Bayleigh dominated in her catcher position. While the majority of her opponents were there to play softball, Bayleigh showed up to play hardball!
“Bayleigh is a player that I have always been able to count on and that is an extremely tough characteristic to replace. She stepped up and played first base for us (and did an excellent job) in years past but was a catcher before she adopted the first base position. This year she took the role back on and was an asset at that position, to say the least. I have a freshman catcher that has been trying to learn from Bayleigh all the while taking on the role of left fielder. Our plan had been to transition her into the catcher position. She was robbed of a lot of mentoring time from Bayleigh that I had really been counting on.”
Never backing down from any role asked of her, Bayleigh really was a one of a kind sports player. Whether it be volleyball, cheer or softball, there was no task too big that she couldn’t take on head first and show it who’s boss. “Bayleigh has worked so hard for this year and I can’t imagine how this is for her. She is a tough young woman and I know she will still go on to do great things in life but I would give anything to see her play one last time.” Bayleigh will finish her softball career with a total of 43 games played, 39 hits, 23 RBI, 24 runs, nine stolen bases, 147 putouts, and seven assists.
The Lady Bulldogs will also be saying goodbye to senior Taylor Stacy. Taylor walked into the game of softball at the bottom with zero knowledge and through hard work and dedication, she was able to work her way into a starting center field position for the last two years. This season, Taylor started off her senior year as the team manager with high expectations of getting to watch her teammates finish out the season strong. “Taylor has always worked hard for me going above and beyond what was expected of her. I hate that for her final season she had to miss out on time with her team.” Taylor ends her softball career with 36 games played, 30 hits, 18 RBI, 18 runs, eight stolen bases, 37 putouts, and three assists.
“I also have a foreign exchange student, Ysaline Beguin, who has grown so close with her teammates that now has had to return home due to all of this without getting to say goodbye. My junior pitcher, third baseman, shortstop, and first baseman were robbed of a very important growing year before having to take on the task of their senior year season. I am just so sad for all of my girls. I’m having a hard time “moving on” to the 2021 season because I feel like there wasn’t a 20 season. I have been thinking about where to go from here, for sure. I’m optimistic about my team because they have always pushed through in the face of adversity.”
“I know they will work hard to recover from this. Considering we barely got this season started, I’m looking forward to any game next year! I just want to see my girls on the field again! I am so heartbroken that the girls have been stripped of this season. For some of them, it was a big one. My advice to them through all of this is to learn from it. Never take a day on the field for granted because this has proved that we aren’t in control. Treat every game as if it’s your last and leave it all on the field. Cherish your time with your teammates and always continue to grow. This is a life lesson on and off the field.”
Photos courtesy of Sandy Tull
