The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans softball team’s season ended on Wednesday, May 18, when they were officially eliminated by St. Albans and their superstar pitcher Tayven Stephenson.
However, for the Spartans to make it that far two years in a row is quite an accomplishment.
Last week, we talked to a couple seniors about their careers and what the Spartans had to do to defeat the Red Dragons and get to the state tournament. With that now out of the equation, senior Rylee Norman gives the perspective from a player who faces the future with softball now clearly in her past.
Norman provided the Spartans with great senior leadership, timely hitting and all-around good play this year.
In fact, in the regionals against St. Albans, she was the best hitter on the team in the two games. She went 3-for-7, with two doubles and three RBI’s, and kept the Spartans offense on the attack. What is even more impressive is she put up those numbers against Stephenson, a Kentucky commit and last season’s WV softball player-of-the year, and very likely 2022’s POY as well.
While the loss is tough, Norman knows she saved her personal best for last, and to her, that is all she wanted to do.
“Yes, it does make me feel a lot better to go out on a good note because I know that I gave 110 percent and left it all on the field,” she said.
However, the sting of the defeat is already weighing on her mind.
“It’s really hard to accept that my senior season is officially over and I don’t think the realization has hit me just yet, but it definitely feels as if something is missing already,” Norman stated.
“I have played softball for as long as I can remember and have always had next season to look forward to and work toward, so it will definitely be a sad experience,” she continued.
Memories made in high school typically last forever, and one that Norman remembers may take the sting out of this season’s loss, even if it is just for a minute.
“I have many great memories from Spartan softball including past team members, but one of my favorites would definitely have to be our win over St. Albans in regional play last year,” Norman said.
For the Spartans to continue to put a good softball product on the field year in and year out, Norman had some advice for those who will follow in her footsteps.
“Give it your all and enjoy the game, because before you know it you will be in my position as a senior and have to give up something you love,” she said.
In the fall, the daughter of Chad and Diana Norman will head to Morgantown and attend WVU. She plans to major in computer science and engineering.
“I’m very excited for the next step,” Norman said with a grin.
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