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As schools across Decatur County make the final preparations to welcome students back, fall sports teams also begin to pick up from right where they left off in 2021. For the Spring Creek Charter Academy, softball season is in full swing.

For Head Coach Anna Barber and the Stallions this will be their third season in school history. Coach Barber is full of excitement for the season to start and plans to continue to lay the foundation they have been building for the past three seasons.

“We are returning most of our same players from last year and a few new players.,” said Barber. “One goal we have this season is to improve offensively. We are working to get more hits and to be more aggressive base runners..”

Last year the Stallions had flashes of brilliance, as they were able to string together wins including a dominant 19-3 win over Whigham. Barber hopes that this season the Stallions can continue their success and also develop leaders on and off the field.

Barber attributes that success to surrounding the girls with softball both on and off the field.

“Last season we won our first game since starting up our first softball team in 2020. The difference last year was the experience the girls got in our first season,” said Barber. “Last season, I tried things a little differently. We watched college softball games together, played team bonding games, and got to know each other before picking up a softball to practice.  The girls learned how to play the game and how to be great teammates which allowed them to play more confidently and compete with our opponents.”

The Stallions have impressed Barber in their first few weeks of practice. Barber is especially impressed in the way that the returning players have stepped up and helped lead the newcomers.

“These girls have amazed me at our practices this year,” said Barber. “My returning players have been great teammates by helping and encouraging their new teammates. Our new girls have been very eager to learn and I see them learning from the returning players and not getting discouraged.”

In addition to wins and losses, Barber’s goals extend beyond the field as she aims to not only prepare each player to further their softball career at the next level, but to also teach the girls lifelong skills like teamwork, and communication.

“I always want them to grow their skill level and become better players,” said Barber. “However my overall hope as their coach is for them to enjoy playing softball everyday. I hope that it is something they look forward to everyday and have fun with while playing.”

The Stallions look to open their season on August 16 against Whigham at the Bill Reynolds Sports Complex.