The CHS softball season is underway! With nine wins and nine losses, the softball team is working hard to combat a rocky beginning. The Head Coach, Nathaniel Berryman, is in his 22nd year of coaching softball and is working with the Chamblee girls, trying to adjust for a large number of newcomers.

“We are a [team of mostly underclassmen] with only three seniors returning from last year’s squad. We’re seeing what we can do in certain situations, with certain groupings of girls, at certain positions,” said Coach Berryman.

Stella Barton (‘26), pitcher and first baseman on the Varsity team, isn’t happy with the start of the season, which began with six losses and three wins, but is hopeful of the outcome.

“[While] I cannot predict the outcome [of the season] because the start hasn’t really been what I thought it was going to be, I definitely think we have the potential on our team to make it to the playoffs and defeat some of the more competitive teams we’ve been playing,” said Barton.

Sadie Godwin (‘26), third baseman and shortstop on Varsity, seemed to have a similar outlook on the season as it progresses.

“I think it’s definitely going to be a good season. I think our team is really close this year and I feel like we have a lot of good players. So while it may not be all W’s, it’s okay because we’re going to put up a good fight,” said Godwin.

Brooke Williams (‘29), first and third baseman and catcher on Varsity, supported the idea of constant development throughout the season.

“I think the outcome of the season will be good because we are developing a lot both on the Varsity and JV levels. We focus on maintaining a high morale and never backing down.”

Players like Anabelle Ritchey (‘27), Varsity pitcher and first baseman, have loved bonding with the team this season and in prior years playing softball together.

“I am very close with all of my teammates. I have been playing with some of them since I was about eight, so it is really cool to grow up with [them and still be playing softball together],” said Ritchey.

Victoria Carney (‘29), JV pitcher and shortstop, agreed that the player dynamic is the same on junior varsity.

“We’re very supportive of each other, and we have a really great bond on the team,” said Carney.

According to players, like Barton, another great thing about the team is their ability to depend on one another.

“We have to rely a lot on each other. We have to put a lot of trust in each other. We have to lean on each other and build each other up because sometimes coaches or parents might not do that,” said Barton.

The community and connection that the girls have made with each other is what Coach Berryman believes will make the team a winning one this season.

“I guess what I’m really wanting from this squad is [for them] to really come together, unite, and be the best that they can possibly be. This is probably one of the most jelled teams that I’ve ever been around. [They are] very cohesive. They get along, and I know that’s pretty cliche, but it’s not a lot of fun when you’re coaching a team that doesn’t get along with [one another],” said Coach Berryman.

Because they are so coherent as a team, they have been able to motivate each other and hold each other accountable.

“Playing for my team [keeps me motivated]. You have to practice and try hard because you’re not just letting yourself down if you [perform badly], you’re letting your whole team down,” said Ritchey.

Hannah Sullivan (‘27) believes that everyone has to work together to achieve their end goal. 

“Just knowing that everyone depends on everyone else [makes me] want to do good and help the team out,” said Sullivan.

For seniors Godwin and Barton, they feel the responsibility being the oldest girls on the team to support the younger girls.

“Helping out the younger kids motivates me because I want to be a role model to them. [I want to be] someone they can look up to and think, ‘Oh yeah, she’s great at softball, and she’s someone I can look up to,’” said Godwin.

As she plays her final season of Softball, Barton wants to make sure she ends her high school career on a good note.

“I want to walk away from the season knowing that I tried my best, leaving the sport [at the end of the year] being the best that I could be. I think that having a good, lasting memory [of the sport] is what motivates me,” said Barton.

Overall, it seems like the team is excited to spend the season connecting and winning games with one another!