For every team, there’s normally two points in the season where you want to be on the top of your game.
A team wants to be at its peak at the end of the regular season, primed and ready for a long playoff run.
Then there’s senior day. A day when a team has the opportunity to properly recognize and honor the seniors for all the work they’ve put into the program. A day when their contributions and careers are celebrated.
Liberty softball understood the assignment Wednesday. The Lions ensured their seniors’ big day wouldn’t be tarnished, defeating Westminster, 9-3.
“We wanted to make this day special for them,” coach Chris Szocik said. “Certainly coming out here and playing such a great game was the best way to send them off.”
The Liberty lineup decided to throw their three seniors a hit party as the Lions finished the game with 11 hits. Senior Leyla Hoffman got the scoring started with a towering home run over the left-field fence in the bottom of the second inning.
“I was pumped,” Hoffman said. “It’s always good to hit the ball hard.”
With fellow senior Evelyn Connor holding down the fort defensively for the Lions, the third and final senior Kaelin Ault followed Hoffman’s lead, hitting a home run of her own in the bottom of the fourth to break a 3-3 tie.
“I walked the last time I was up,” Ault, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs said. “I wanted to come up there and rip the ball in half.”
With all three seniors setting the tone in their own way, the other Lions built off the momentum and increased the lead. Ault, Hoffman, Erin Martin, Hannah DeVincent and Allison Bald each had multi-hit games as the Lions moved to 8-3 on the season.
“It all worked out,” Hoffman said. “We were working hard and we were all playing for each other.”
Liberty's Allison Bald, left, makes a catch while narrowing avoiding a collision with teammate Hailey Hodges against Westminster during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty pitcher Sophia Steele raises a finger to signal one out against Westminster during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty pitcher Sophia Steele winds up in her delivery to a Westminster batter during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty shortstop Erin Martin throws across the diamond to force out a Westminster opponent on a ground ball play during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster third baseman Brianna Witter tags out Liberty's Hannah DeVincent trying to advance to third during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster's Lila Moxley celebrates hitting a homerun as she rounds the base path during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty's Leyla Hoffman connects with a pitch for a home run against Westminster during Wednesday's game. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster third baseman Brianna Witter throws to first for force out a Liberty runner as Taylor Hoffman leads off the base behind her thduring a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster's Lila Moxley is embraced by teammate Gina Sullivan as she celebrates hitting a homerun with teammates during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster pitcher Lila Moxley delivers to a Liberty batter during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster's Brianna Witter connects with a basehit during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty's Leyla Hoffman is greeted by teammates at home after hitting a home run against Westminster during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster's Lila Moxley is greeted a home by her teammates after hitting a homerun during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster shortstop Gina Sullivan throws out a Liberty runner after fielding a ground ball during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster's connects with a pitch for a homerun during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Liberty outfielder Hailey Hodges makes a catch by the fence line on a flyball hit by a Westminster batter during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
Westminster shortstop Gina Sullivan tries to tag out Liberty runner Erin Martin who safely steals second base on the play during a softball game at Liberty High School on Wednesday. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
On the mound, it was Sophia Steele taking the ball and throwing a complete game. Steele gave up six hits and three runs, striking out four and earning the win, less than 24 hours after earning a save in her previous appearance.
“She’s been ready every time we called her number,” Szocik said. “She did great.”
Now with such an important day behind them, the Lions look toward the season’s final stretch with a couple of key road games on the horizon. Much like they have done for years, Szoick looks to take the momentum from his seniors and ride them to championship contention.
“The girls came out focused and did some good things hitting and scoring runs,” he said. “We’ve been rolling, we want to try and keep it that way.”
