Softball adjusts to shortened season 

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (April 30, 2020) -- Coming off a successful weekend in South Carolina, which saw head coach Wes Holly win his 900th career game, the Milligan College softball team faced the unfortunate news that their season was coming to an untimely end due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

"When I first heard that the season was canceled, I was in complete denial," junior Savannah Nocera said. "It is beyond heartbreaking to not get to finish what we began as a team," Nocera added. Nocera had started the season out strong for the Buffs, with a .350 batting average, and led the team in on base percentage with a .567.

Adjusting from being in season to having to go home for the indefinite future was extremely difficult, as this was the time of year that the team had prepared for all year. "I feel like I should be practicing or doing something," freshman Kara Weems said. "Unfortunately, there is not much you can do at a time like this," she added.

The news of the season ending early was difficult for all to hear, but for many their thoughts were with the two seniors on the team. "We are losing two leaders who had become family before we had the proper chance to say goodbye," Nocera said.

Even though all spring sport athletes were given another year of eligibility, seniors Madison Cook and AJ Davidson made the difficult decision to end their playing careers while they pursue graduate school. 

"The team this year was special," Cook said. "This was the most talented team I have ever been a part of, and I hate that we didn't get to show our talent all the way to the end." Cook was starting her senior season off with a .444 batting average with four hits in nine at bats. "I wouldn't trade these four years for anything. The coaches treated us like their own family and I made some great friendships and had the best teammates," Cook added.

Davidson, who is a two-time Appalachian Athletic Conference Champions of Character recipient, described her reaction when she received the news as numbing and hard to accept. "I know God has a plan for all of this, and I need to lean on Him now more than ever, but it still hurts," Davidson said. "Despite how my season ended, my experience at Milligan has truly been a blessing."

For the returning members of the team, getting back onto the field and picking up where their shortened season left off is the ultimate goal. "Coming back, I am looking forward to our team rallying together and being better than we ever have been," Weems said.