The Lady Waves softball team has been working hard all winter and is ready to start the 2011 campaign. The Green has two seniors on the team this year, left fielder Paige Moree and second baseman Taylor Narramore. Both of these girls bring impressive stats, multiple wins and numerous championships into the 2011 season. Three district championships, two region titles and two sub-state wins are already in the bank for these two.
Paige and Taylor were raised in the tightly knit Midway softball community. Both started playing in the youth league around the age of five. These girls have contributed to over 200 wins in their Midway fast pitch softball careers. Both are well known for their big bats and solid defense. But even more importantly, they are known among their coaches for their leadership and their dedication to the Lady Waves team. We caught up with the girls this week to get their thoughts on the upcoming season.
SORSN.com: Taylor and Paige, two very talented players from last years team were lost to graduation. How does the team replace such talented players as Haley Parks and Michelle Walden?
Paige Moree: I don’t believe that you can ever replace another player, especially two that have contributed so much hard work over the years. But we have a great group of girls that have really stepped up this year! We have a lot of talent, and we are just going to have to go out there and show everyone that the Lady Waves are still a force to be reckoned with!
Taylor Narramore: I miss Haley and Michelle at every practice and game, but we have a lot of speed on the team now. Skinny girls… (Taylor shakes her head and smiles. Everyone laughs.)
SORSN.com: Girls, last year’s team surprised the Lady Waves fans with a ton of exciting offense. Can we expect more of the same or will the games be lower-scoring this year?
Taylor: I have confidence in every girl that steps up to the plate. I know we are going to have a ton of exciting offense. I may even get me one to make it over the fence this year. (Taylor smiles as usual.)
Paige: We will be even better this year. We have been hitting the ball very well in practice! I think everyone can expect to see another good showing from our offense, maybe even better!
SORSN.com: You two have been involved in Midway fast pitch softball for more than 10 years. Tell us a couple of your favorite or funniest memories from your playing days.
Paige: One would definitely have to be the other day when Barry Narramore was sitting on a bucket catching for Alex Richardson. Alex threw one high, and Barry went up for the ball. When he came back down on his bucket, he tipped backwards and busted his butt! Then, another funny sight was when we we were playing at home and we had the music playing while we were warming up. The “Cha-Cha Slide” came on, and we all started dancing. We made Coach Rob get out there with us and dance! (Everyone laughs.)
Taylor: My first memory would be my sophomore year. It was the night before prom, and I thought I was cool with my socks rolled down back then. I was running as fast as I could to first base, and when I hit the bag, I hit the ground! The little umpire called me safe for good effort. Coach Rob said that I was out by a mile. I keep my socks pulled up now. Another memory would come from 10-and-under softball. Our biggest rival was Coalfield and they had a mean, chunky, curly-headed pitcher named Mindy. She would cuss us all out, and plot to hit every single one of us. Her mom, being the coach, backed her up on every pitch. We were terrified of ole Mindy. (Everyone laughs because several of these girls remembers Mindy all to well!.)
One of my other favorite memories was from the state tournament we were playing in Crossville when we were playing 12 and under. I was pitching and the opposing coach kept complaining to the umpire that I was pitching illegally, much to the displeasure of our coaches and fans. Our Coach, my dad, called time and as he was approaching the mound he looked straight at the opposing coach and loudly stated “CRYBABY”. The coach was coaching 1st base and standing right in front of the whole Midway crowd , who immediately starting laughing loudly. The red faced coach didn’t say another word the rest of the game. When Dad got to the huddle there was alot of sheepish grins from our players who had gathered there.
SORSN.com: Girls, what single game really gets your blood pumping when you look back now.
Taylor: Kingston, baby! (Everyone laughs.) We played nine LONG innings, and there were so many people at Kingston. We were down 6-0 in the first inning, but Coach Rob kept us fired up. The Midway fans overpowered the Kingston fans, and they cheered as loud as they could at the game I will never forget. The best part was WINNING! (SORSN.com: This game may very well hold some kind of attendance record for a High School softball game. We have never seen so many people at a High School game!)
Paige: Definitely the Coalfield game from regions last year! Everyone thinks that we should be afraid of Coalfield because of their pitcher, but we came out and played our ball. And we showed that down here we ain’t scared of nobody! (SORSN: possibly the biggest win in Midway history)
SORSN.com: What would you say to the young Midway girls coming up and dreaming of playing high school softball?
Paige: Stay focused! It is a lot of hard work and dedication, but it all pays off when you beat teams like Coalfield and Rockwood to win championships! Most of all, REMEMBER TO SMILE! I had a hard time my freshman and sophomore years with my knee, and I got down on myself a lot. But the one thing that helped me the most was that Coach Rob always made sure to tell me to smile, at least once a day! (Everyone laughs.)
Taylor: I would tell them that conditioning can be tough at times, but always be a leader and push your teammates. Try hard every practice and game because before you know it, it’s gone! It really does fly by, and you will never whine again about running. Confidence is huge, and you have to be able to maintain it. ALWAYS have your teammates’ backs – NO MATTER WHAT!
SORSN.com: Both of you have gone deep into the post season in each of your three high school seasons. How far will the Lady Waves go this year?
Taylor: I have many goals for the team this year, and I think Paige can also relate to mine. First, I would like to win the district tournament, then the region tournament, then sub-state, and then STATE! (Taylor laughs.) I think if we take each one of these step by step, then we will have a very productive, winning season!
Paige: Well, I agree that we need to take it one step at a time; right now I am just planning for winning our district. Then we can go on from there. But everyone knows that the Midway Lady Waves always do great things!
SORSN.com: Thanks for your time girls and good luck this season!
S Renfro: Thanks ladies. I think you’re so good that you don’t even need luck. (Everyone laughs.)