York Softball Manager Tambra Sweet said she preaches a similar message before every practice and every game: play hard.
Sweet beginning her fourth season as manager at York Institute. The York Dragonettes finished last season 4-12, losing in the first round of the district tournament. Sweet said injuries hurt the team towards the end of the season.
“We finished strong in relation to what we had with what we could have had at the time.” Sweet said. “So I got a lot of my returning players this year. I’ve only lost two starters last year, and so we’ve really been honing in on those juniors and seniors really stepping up in a big way for us this year.”
The York Dragonettes seek their first ever appearance in state tournament play. Sweet said she wants to take the message of playing together and playing hard and translate that to wins on the diamond.
“We really take that and try to run with it because we’ve got to communicate during our games and give it our all each time.” Sweet said.
The Dragonettes return two seniors and six juniors this season.
“I know what they’re capable of.” Sweet said. “They’ve had a lot of experience with [me] and they know what to expect and just looking for them to step up in a big way for us this year.”
York has started this season 1-1. York opened their season against Pickett County last week, winning 15-6 before losing to Monterey. Sweet said York has played only two games due to the weather.
“We’re really just needing some time on the field right now and I’m hoping this week, by the end of the week we’re gonna feel like we’ve got a grasp on where people need to play and then we can go from there.” Sweet said.
