The softball team practiced every day- they hit in the batting cages, performed throwing drills, ran for conditioning and fitness, and played two or three games a week. The days consisted of these practices for two months, but the team enjoyed every minute of the action. The Lady Raiders went to the first round of the state playoffs after they finished fourth in their 6AAAAAA region. Seniors Andrea Coleman, Lea Ann Porter, Darrian Short, Sydney Turner, and Jenna Zirlott led the team’s 2013 season. The girls loved playing for North Forsyth, and they became close throughout the season. Darrian Short explains, “It allowed me to get close to a group of girls that I later realized were more than just my teammates, they were my sisters”.

Softball has its challenges though, and the Lady Raiders had to regroup in the middle of the season to motivate themselves to keep playing hard through the tough losses. Sydney Turner responded, “I know if I quit I will feel terrible and the only way to overcome a slump is to keep working”.

The team finished with a winning season and satisfied hearts. Darrian Short also said, “The best part is when all your hard work pays off and you can make it out on top”. The Lady Raiders softball team looks forward to next fall, and they will go into the season with confidence and poise.

Sydney Turner also sends advice to the upcoming seniors, “Work your hardest every time you step on the field because the underclassmen will do whatever you do”. A few of the seniors will be continuing their softball careers in college while some seniors are not, but whether they continue of not, they will all remember the exciting experiences they had playing for North Forsyth’s Lady Raiders.

A Closer Look at the Lady Raiders Senior Softball Players

Andrea Coleman played for four years at North Forsyth. For the 2013 season, she received the leadership award and was a member of the all-county and all-region teams. She positively led her team at practices and in games, believing in her players no matter what. Andrea gave support to her teammates constantly, and she tried to help them in any way she could. She played second base and continuously informed her team of the game situations. Anyone who has seen her play can say that she gave every effort she had at every second to make a play. Andrea not only shined on the field, but she also shined in the batter’s box. Her teammates knew she would get the job done at the plate while they had faith in her ability every time she stepped up to bat. Andrea Coleman will be missed by her team and her school when she graduates, and she plans to play softball in college.

Lea Ann Porter played for four years at North Forsyth. She received an award for scholarly athlete with over a 4.0 GPA. She pitched and loved doing so, leading her team to many wins during the season, and she remained zoned in on the game and had the drive to win. Each pitch that came from her hand was thrown confidently; Lea Ann worked on her pitches in the bullpen at every practice- her work ethic was enormous: she never gave up on her team, or herself, when the Lady Raiders were losing a game; she focused on the next pitch, play, and inning. While her teammates believed in her skills and capabilities, Lea Ann delivered all of her energy on the pitching mound. She will be remembered by North Forsyth and always missed by the Lady Raiders softball team. Lea Ann plans to continue her softball career in college.

Darrian Short played at North Forsyth for two years. She brought a smile to all the ladies of the softball team because she encouraged others to stay optimistic at a tough practice or in a tight game. Her teammates meant the world to her, and she would always try to make a fantastic play after a bad play was made. Darrian’s voice could be heard cheering on her fellow players when they were up to bat or if she could see they were down on themselves. She was the ‘senior of the grass’, and she captained her younger outfielders during the course of the season. She was also willing to put green stains on her white pants in order to make an important play. Darrian was always seen hustling to her position in games and sprinting to the drills in practice. She set a great example of how much work, sweat, and determination players should give to the game they love. She will not continue playing softball in college, but she will always be a role model to players at North Forsyth.

Sydney Turner played at North Forsyth for four years. She was given the offensive award and was a member of the all-county and all-region teams. She was captain on the softball field, and she kept her teammates’ minds in the game at all times. Sydney’s eyes reflected how much the game of softball meant to her, and she showed her team that those who work toward their dreams will fulfill them. She taught the Lady Raiders believe in their abilities and to reach their goals while she reached hers. Sydney played her heart out on the North Forsyth field, and any spectator could see that she was a leader who wanted her team to succeed as bad as her coaches did. She played first base and her talent shined in that position. She had a ‘hot bat’, and was a consistently the team’s dominant hitter. She controlled the pitcher when it should have been the other way around. Sydney was a threat to every team the Lady Raiders faced. She will always be considered a part of North Forsyth as she continues her softball career at Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina.

Jenna Zirlott played at North Forsyth for four years. She was given an award for scholar athlete with a GPA above a 4.0. She was also given the defensive award, and she was a member of the all-county team and an all-region team honorable mention. Jenna was said to be the toughest player on the field while she was crushed by hard hits and rough sliding runners. She played through everything, so her teammates looked up to her as a player who would do anything for her team. Jenna was also a huge aid to the Lady Raiders academics because she was willing to stay after practice on any given day to be able to help her fellow players with homework. She played shortstop and batted left handed as a slapper (a hitter who runs forward as she hits the ball in order to run to the base faster). Jenna had tremendous speed, and her legs pumped as hard as they could to first base when she hit the ball. She would dive for any ball on the infield to be able to help her team make a play. Jenna will be forever missed at North Forsyth as she moves to her next step in life. She does not plan to play softball in college.