Bruins bow to Gators in finale

With only one senior in Hannah Lucas, the Beddingfield High softball program under first-year head coach Mitch Hayes has a lot with which to build for the future with six freshmen and five sophomores on the roster.

Beddingfield finished 1-14 overall and 0-10 and in last place in the 2-A Neuse 6 Conference after a 14-3 loss to Spring Creek in the season finale Thursday, May 2, that served as Lucas’ Senior Night.

“We like the makeup of this team and the demeanor of this team.” said Hayes. “They come to work each and every day and work hard. And I told them last night that I call this an adjustment period because you have to adjust to the speed of the game from middle school to high school. I’m excited about next year with everybody coming back. We did lose a great leader in Hannah. She played for years and was a starter every day.”

Lucas, who was celebrated before the game, had one of Beddingfield’s three hits while Savannah Summerlin and starting pitcher Gracie Vincent had the other two. Vincent drove in a run.

Lucas has been a steady presence on the field for four years at Beddingfield, playing just about everywhere on defense and being an offensive leader each season.

“She’s played shortstop for me this year, she’s played third base for me this year and she’s pitched this year,” Hayes said, ticking off Lucas’ contributions. “he’s been a total team player. So she’s done whatever I’ve asked her to do.”

Despite their 12th straight loss and a second-straight one-win season following a long run of success going back to their NCHSAA 2-A title in 2012, the Bruins have some pieces in place that Hayes thinks will develop.

Hayes, the long-time assistant coach to his predecessor, Jeremy Howard, wasn’t surprised at the final record given the youth of the team.

“I knew that coming in this year that it was going to be a process,” he said. “A lot of middle schoolers coming up to high school and high school, you have to adjust to the speed of the game coming from middle school to high school. I thought we came and practiced hard every single day. I definitely saw an improvement from February 14 to May 2, so the future is looking bright. I’m really excited about everybody coming back and we’re going to continue to improve in the offseason. And I think that our future will be bright at Beddingfield in the next couple of years.”

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