GOOD HOPE, Ala. — The 2023 softball season has arrived for the Good Hope Lady Raiders and even though they will be fielding a young team this year, they have quickly matured and gotten better over the past two seasons. Freshman Campbell Koch talked about last season, what all she learned, and what it’s been like playing with this great group of girls.
“I feel that as a young team, last season went fairly well. We had some great wins and some tough losses, but overall, we definitely grew as players and as a team. We learned how to communicate with each other and to play more maturely together,” Koch said. “It’s been great. We are a very tight group, and we all have similar goals. This is our third year together, so even though we are still considered to be a young team, we don’t play as young as we are. I love these girls and am so excited to spend the rest of my high school softball career with them.”
Campbell’s been on the varsity team since 7th grade and has definitely taken away so much during her time on varsity. She’s played for coaches Tim Tucker, Phillip Keef, and Skylar Tucker so far in her career and has soaked up as much as she can from them.
“As a varsity player, I’ve learned that expectations are definitely higher, which has taught me to play every game like it’s my last and give it 110% every time I step on the field,” Koch said. “Our coaches love us very much and are very passionate. They strive to make us the best player we can be, and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them. I still have a long way to go, but they have taught me all things softball-related and have gave me many life lessons that I will forever appreciate. They have taught me to play every game like it’s my last, discipline, and to not take anything for granted.”
Campbell has played with senior Bailey Keef during her time on varsity and has learned a lot from her so far. She worked on a lot of things in the off-season to get ready for the upcoming softball season and has some goals for herself and the team.
“I love Bailey Keef. She is a great role model and teammate. She took us all under her wing and taught us all how to be a great leader. I hope the younger girls will look up to me as I look up to Bailey,” she said. “I’ve worked on hitting, pitch selection, speed, and agility. My individual goals are to make all-county and all-area. The team goals are to be county champions, make it to Regionals again, and to advance past Regionals.”
Campbell talked about what will make this team special to watch this season, the growth of this team and her game from two years ago until now, one of her role models growing up, and the best advice that she’s been given.
“Achieving our goals will definitely make it special, but to see how much we’ve grown and matured since last year is going to make this a great year. Although we still have a long way to go, we have all grown tremendously as softball players and as teammates. I am so excited to start another season with them. We want to play more competitively and maturely. I still have much more improving to do in all aspects of the game, but I have seen major improvements in my speed, as well as in my range when fielding ground balls.”
She added,
“I’ve always looked up to Amanda Lorenz and have always admired how good a hitter she was, not only hitting home runs, but getting timely hits when it really mattered. The best advice I’ve ever been given was to outwork everybody. You don’t have to be the most talented person on the team, but always be the one that works the hardest. ‘Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ is a quote that I try to live by and play by.”
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