CALEDONIA — A new set of buckets awaits the Caledonia High School fast-pitch softball team.
A few weeks ago, coach Jonathan Jones wasn’t sure if the Lady Confederates were still going to be alive at this point in the season, but a six-game winning streak at the tail end of the regular season gave the team new life in its hunt for a playoff bid. A victory by Kosciusko against West Lauderdale helped Caledonia secure the No. 3 seed out of Class 4A, Region 4.
Faced with the prospect of facing No. 1 seed Pontotoc, Caledonia didn’t flinch and the players went about their business of supporting one another, or filling each other’s buckets. The result was 5-2 and 9-2 victories in the opening-round series that paced the way for Caledonia (12-13) to take on Cleveland at 6 p.m. today in Game 1 of the Mississippi High School Activities Association second-round best-of-three series.
Jones said solid pitching by Carlee Dale and Allison Gutierrez, strong defense, and timely hitting helped Caledonia extend its season. Jones, who is in his first season as coach of the program, credited seniors Cassie Obman, Ainsley Cullum, and Stephanie Wilkes for setting the tone on a team that has 11 players in grades 7-10.
Jones also said an appearance by Leo Wright, a former teacher who owns a weight equipment supply store and is a speaker for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), helped the players recognize the importance of “filling buckets” and playing for one another. He said the message in Wright’s 20- to 30-minute talk before his team’s 1:30 p.m. practice was instrumental in lifting the Lady Confederates out of their slump. He said Wright’s talk also enabled the players to get to know him better and understand the importance he places on chemistry. For example, he said the school’s CHS stands for “Character, Hard Work, and Selflessness.” He hopes those things take the team as far as it can go because he believes in the players.
“I noticed a positive reaction from the kids,” Jones said. “We have an appreciation day now. Every week we try to share what we are appreciative of. We go through seniors first — and sometimes we go through the lineup — and they have to tell me what they appreciate from each teammate that week. We also have started asking who have you filled a bucket for today.”
Jones said the team did appreciation days a couple of weeks prior to Wright’s speech. He said the team tied the appreciation day to players having to fill buckets for each other. He said both things have helped the players share what they are thankful for and to build a stronger team bond. The result has come through on the field.
“We try to fill each other’s buckets and have appreciation days and tell each other we appreciate each other,” Obman said. “I think it just helps us stay positive and help each other and makes us a better team.”
Obman, who signed in January to play softball at East Central Community College in Decatur, said she has noticed a change in the team after hearing Wright talk to the team. She said the spirit of filling buckets has been “infectious” and has lifted the spirits of everyone.
Cullum, who is out with a shoulder injury, also has seen a change come over the team. She said the players are more encouraging with each other regardless of whether it is good or bad. Even though she didn’t hear Wright speak, she said the team has embraced the spirit of Wright’s message. For example, she said she has seen eighth-grader Tori Brooks, who plays first base, fill the bucket of Wilkes, who also plays first base, for helping her learn to play the position.
“I feel like it makes other people feel better and makes them want to fill each other’s buckets more,” Cullum said.
Wilkes said the compliments and praise from teammates have helped the players keep their heads up. She said she also has worked with Brooks in hitting, and has tried to show her she has a lot of potential and that she will be able to play an even bigger role in the next few years.
For now, though, Wilkes said Caledonia is focused on staying positive this season to realize its goal of getting to Jackson to play for a state title. She said the defense has backed up the pitching and lifted the confidence of everyone.
“It definitely came together (against Pontotoc),” Wilkes said. “Our pitchers did great and everybody was hitting. Our defense was so solid we could get outs fast. Our pitching, defense, and hitting has all been really strong lately.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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