Heading home: seniors’ final softball season stops short

Imagine playing a sport since you were barely able to walk. You spent years perfecting your
skills in hopes that you would be able to play for your favorite university and once you get
accepted, you work even harder every season. Finally, you are a college senior and this is likely
the last season you will ever play the game you love so much. Sadly, your season is cut short,
and you will never play again.
This is the case for many Asbury University softball players. The team conquered the beginning
of its season with an 8-6 record, and was ready to continue a winning season. Unfortunately,
the team did not get that opportunity due to the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases worldwide.
While some players on the team will get the opportunity to come back and swing a bat in the
fall, there are some girls, like senior Kamry Wells, who will never be able to finish their season.
“I have played softball since I was five years old, and this was the year I was playing for,” said
Wells. “It was horrible to hear I will never get the closure I was hoping for this season.”
It can be easy to become emotionally involved in a sport you have spent so much time and
energy playing. There is a certain amount of camaraderie among players that will be greatly
missed, especially by graduating seniors.
“All the seniors were hurt, mad and extremely saddened by the news,” Wells said. “There was
no easy way to take it. We have been playing since we were old enough to walk, so to not get
the senior season we were all hoping for really hit hard on all of us. After we have had time to
process, I believe we are doing the best we can. It still doesn’t seem real because of the lack of
closure, but hopefully, we will gather as a team for the last time to receive that closure when the
pandemic passes.”
With no makeup games, some players are encouraged by the prospect of being able to get
back their year of eligibility for the 2019-20 year. While this is an encouraging opportunity for
some, Wells does not think it is an opportunity she will take.
“I came to Asbury to become a teacher,” she said, “and this is the year I will finally get my own
classroom. Softball has been an amazing part of my life, but I am ready for the next chapter.”
Although this time has been difficult for Wells and other softball seniors, she is looking forward
to watching the team get stronger from the crowd.”
“This short softball season was unforgettable,” she said. “We had amazing chemistry,
hardworking and determined coaches, and leaders that were going to take us to conference.
This is not the end for Asbury softball. Next year, they will come back better than ever. I cannot
wait to come back and watch my team.”