On April 3, a mix of hype music and 2010 hits blasts from the speaker in the back of the bus as the varsity softball team makes its way to Sun Prairie West High School. With the far commute for the season’s first game, the girls got excited, singing and chatting with each other.
Emily Watson, varsity softball head coach, set various goals for the 2025 season. Her top goal based on improvement, as she said, “This year’s [season] focus is on self and team game prep and making mid-game adjustments. We are a young team, and making sure everyone is on the same page is important.”
Watson stated the impact this team has on her and on one another.
Watson said, “This team is important to me, because to me they are more than softball players. These girls have changed my life in more ways than one. Although I may not understand half the lingo that comes out of their mouths, they teach me new things every time I’m with them. I hope by the time I’m done with them, they’ve learned a little bit more about softball, but a lot more about life.”
Watson, coaching for her fifth year this season, has a team made up of one freshman, seven sophomores, one junior and four seniors on the team. With the sophomores being the largest age group, Watson’s plan to improve the team is, “Getting them varsity experience, [as for] game play is going to help shape them!”
Lauren Strifling, senior, said, “I will miss chatting on the bus and cheering each other on from the field and dugout. It will be so hard to leave the team and the field at the end of the season.”
Strifling, who played the game of softball from the very young age of four, said, “This year is so bittersweet. I’ve been thinking about playing for Homestead forever, and it is already coming to an end.”
After 14 years of experience, Strifling said, “Some of my best moments include hitting my first home run, going out to breakfast, jamming in the car before games, and just chatting and laughing at practice.”
Softball has been a big influence in Strifling’s life. She will finish this season but not continue into college next year. Strifling also plays other sports, and is going to continue her basketball career at the University of Chicago.
A young star on the team, Anna Faucett, sophomore, enjoys softball year-round. Throughout all Wisconsin seasons, she is on the field.
Faucett said, “My favorite thing about softball is the individual skills that each person can bring to the team. I also love just being able to play with my friends.”
Faucett is a twin, and she and her sister, Lauren Faucett, sophomore, both grew up playing softball together. Always being on the same team had some benefits and struggles.
A. Faucett said, “Having my sister on the same team can be helpful, but also frustrating. We look out for each other and push each other to do our best, but we can also get upset with one another at times.”
Growing up and being able to practice anytime together gave them a strong pitcher-catcher duo on various teams.
A. Faucett said, “My favorite things about softball are the lessons it has taught me, the mental toughness it has given me, and the friends I have made over the years.”
