Knight softball earns WIAA Team of the Month honors

ROYAL CITY – The Royal softball team is in the middle of a successful season, and players are now being honored for their product on the field and the work done in the community.

The Knights were announced as the April 1A Team of the Month by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association last week, an award which takes into account the team’s play on the field, achievement in the classroom and community involvement.

“I’m really proud of the girls for winning Team of the Month,” Royal Head Coach Lisa Lawrence said. “I think what’s notable about that award is that it’s not just what they’re doing on the field – it’s what they’re doing in the community and in the classroom. Our team is so well-rounded, and they’re putting in a lot of time to help our youth softball programs too.”

On top of all the hard work it’s taken to help Royal earn its 16-1 start to the season, players will stay after practice and assist with some of the other youth practices going on.

“Oftentimes they stay after practice to help younger pitchers or help catch for a younger pitcher,” Lawrence said. “We’ve got players that are helping umpire some of the youth softball games in the area. We prep fields for the games. What’s neat about this award is that it goes beyond the field.”

The community involvement by Knight players has been “organic,” Lawrence said, as many players have younger siblings involved in local youth softball programs.

“It helps that we have some younger siblings that are a part of these youth programs,” Lawrence said. “A lot of the time these girls are naturally around the younger teams and players. Over spring break we hosted a youth softball clinic, so I think that helped build some momentum and awareness of everything that they can contribute for the younger generations.”

According to the release by the WIAA, all the players on the Royal softball team are also involved in other sports, Associated Student Body and club programs.

“It’s exciting, these girls are definitely role models for those younger players,” Lawrence said. “An award like this is a great example of how they’re able to impact the school and the community.”

Ian Bivona can be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.