By Paige Nash
The Minden High School Lady Tiders wrapped up their 2022-2023 season a couple of weeks ago when they lost in the second round of playoffs against Bursley.
“Wrapping up a season is always bittersweet,” said Head softball coach Shelby Leach. “You’re able to look back on what was accomplished during the year and be proud of where you came from, but also be sad that the season is over because those moments are over.”
This season the team suffered several crucial injuries from big players right in the middle of the year.
“We dropped a few games that we shouldn’t have because of those injuries. Unfortunately, these things are going to happen. Even with all of that, we had a 20-win season. That was momentous for us and something I was shooting for this year,” said Leach. “The girls had to work very hard to get to the second round this year. It’s the third year in a row that we’ve gotten beat out in the second round. We’ve already begun work to prepare for spring 2024 so this doesn’t happen again.”
It may be the end of their 2022-2023 season, but monumental things are still happening for the Tiders’ softball team.
Construction on the brand new MHS softball complex is well under way at this point and expected to be completed by July of this year. This $3 million dollar project will include dugouts, fully turfed field, large locker rooms, coaches’ offices, equipment building and covered batting cages.
This year the girls’ softball team held all their home games at the Minden Recreation Center including their first-round playoff game against Franklinton where they won 2-0. But the next time the 2023-2024 team hits the field for their first home game of the season, it will be at their new state of the art complex.
MHS will be holding tryouts for that team soon. Dates will be released in the coming weeks as well as information on their upcoming summer and fall camps.
