To overcome the challenge of losing two head coaches and an assistant coach, the Brazoswood High School varsity softball team is adjusting to a 2025 season of major changes, but with a fresh start and new leadership, the players are focused on moving forward.
“Honestly, it’s been a rough start, but we expected that,” senior Mia Estrello said. “I think it’s just shown us that we can come together as a team and push through it, it’s been tough, but we’ve realized that at the end of the day, softball is just a game. Since we’re spending the whole season together, we might as well focus on supporting each other and keep improving as a team.”
While there were challenges at first, the players are finding their rhythm as the season continues. Overtime, they have become more confident in handling the changes and working through the issues.
“Adjusting to different coaching styles has definitely been harder, but it’s been easier since they were already part of the program, and things were already set up,” sophomore Liliana Dohle said. “I think learning how to ask questions when we’re confused about something has also helped me personally get closer to them.”
With the coaches’ roles changing, the bond between the teammates and the coaches helps everyone stay focused. The strong friendships between players also allow them to work together and move forward through the season.
“Just having my friends there has helped me with the changes,” Estrello said. “I don’t want my last year to be miserable, and my friends have always had my back. Our friend group works really well together, and it motivates me to finish my last year off strong.”
While teammates play a key role in supporting each other, the coaches also provide valuable guidance and encouragement. For many players, the support from their coaches is just as important in helping them stay focused and motivated throughout the season.
“Coach Wade has always been there for me, she’s checked on me no matter what, and has always been there for me. She talks to me about my pitching and areas where I can improve, and she understands me more than anyone else,” junior Keira Thacker said.
As the season continues, the team is getting more used to the changes. Even though there’s some uncertainty about how things will go, the team knows to work through it together, from practices to games.
“I was a little nervous this season without the old coaches, and we didn’t know how everything was going to fall, I think not knowing how we were going to practice was confusing at first, and not knowing how things would really go was definitely one of the first challenges,” Thacker said. “In the end, we were more confident working together as a team and learned how to get over that.”
