After a tough loss to Waconia April 13, the Park softball team had a close and successful game against Southwest April 14, ending in their first win of the season. Players said that everyone had positive energy and the close game created a good sense of competition. 

Sophomore Bella Miller said the close game was a fun challenge and the positive energy made the game more interesting. 

“Our energy was good and there was a lot of positivity,” Miller said. “It was a close game, so that made it kind of fun because it wasn’t like we just won by a bunch and it was boring. As a team, we were together.”

Sophomore Rowan Jansen said the team improved throughout the course of the game.

“Overall, as a team, we did really well at coming back from being behind and we really picked it up,” Jansen said.

Varsity coach Chris Gabler said the team has some things to work on, but overall improvement will come with confidence.

“We have to work on our communication, being a little more aggressive with the ball and just getting rid of the nerves,” Gabler said. “They get a little nervous the first few games.”

Miller said the team will improve as they play together more.

“We just need to keep working on the things that we need to work on, and getting closer as a team will always help us for the better,” Miller said.

Gabler said that this win will help set the course of the season moving on.

“This game gives them confidence,” Gabler said. “It’s our first win and we’re going into a tough part of our schedule, so it’s a real confidence builder.”

The next girls’ softball game is against Mahtomedi at 4:30 p.m. April 21 at Mahtomedi High School.