This year’s Souderton squad has adopted a ‘live in the moment’ philosophy that has made the team’s journey to Friday’s state title game an enjoyable and memorable one.
‘Living in the moment.’
They don’t have those words emblazoned on their t-shirts, but it’s a phrase that members of Souderton’s softball team repeat regularly when talking about their magical season.
“That’s something we definitely put out there a lot,” senior Paige Shelly said. “You have to enjoy every moment that you’re playing and take it in because truly you never know if it’s going to be your last moment playing for us.
“It’s life – you’re only young once, so you have to enjoy everything. (Coach Steph) Rummel pushes it too because she just wants to see us relax, have fun, enjoy ourselves and live it up while we can because you only get this chance once in a lifetime.”
The Indians have ridden that relaxed approach to Friday’s PIAA Class AAAA title game against Lower Dauphin at Penn State University.
“Each day when you have a game, you’re thinking – this is the game for today, this is all you have to think about, what’s going on right now and think of how good this day is and then think of the long run at the end of that day,” senior Erelle Sowers said. “We’ve been saying we take one pitch at a time, one game at a time and live for that moment, not moments to come.”
“You have to,” senior Amanda Brush said. “It’s why play the sport – it’s supposed to be fun. You just need to enjoy every single game.”
“Especially as a senior, they instill the idea of living in the moment,” Haley DeLany added.
It’s a unique concept that starts at the top with coach Steph Rummel, whose laidback approach has created an atmosphere that suggests winning and having fun can go hand in hand.
“The whole aspect of Steph – what she did for us is what is the fuel for us,” DeLany said. “Her manner, her presence – she brings us down when we need to be brought down, and she picks us up when we need to be picked up.”
“Most importantly – the biggest thing was she believed in us,” Brush said. “She knew we could do this.
“Even at the beginning of the season, she was saying things like, ‘We can definitely win our conference,’ and then once we did that, she said, ‘We can definitely do really well in districts.’ Now it’s like, ‘We can do this. We have an opportunity to win states.’ That’s the best thing you can ask for from a coach.”
Two days before they will be playing in the biggest game of their young careers, the mood at practice is decidedly light. A whole lot like it’s been all season.
“They don’t feel the pressure, and I think that’s why they play so well,” Rummel said. “They want to win for each other and not for anybody else, and I think the key for this team is just to keep calm and know that they can do it.
“I know they want to win, and I know they’re not going to be happy unless they win, but the number one thing that I want them to know is I’ve never seen a better group of girls that get along the way they do and have accomplished as much as they have throughout the season.
“I want them to know that win or lose - everybody is still very proud of them and are very happy for what they’ve done for Souderton.”
Traveling to the beat of a different drum
It’s not unusual – as a matter of fact, it’s standard procedure for many teams to travel to big games in silence with each player listening to music, intent on the game ahead.
This year’s Souderton team has its own ritual, and it doesn’t include solitude or silence.
“We do karaoke on the bus to keep us relaxed,” junior Morgan Yoder said. “We don’t want to talk about the game a lot. We want to be in a relaxed mode and just win.”
Who’s the best when it comes to belting out a tune?
“Paige (Shelly) is probably the best singer, and Amanda is definitely the funniest,” junior Dayna Shelly said. “Sometimes we plan out who sings the song, but we do this thing where we each sing a line and we go in a circle around the whole bus.
“There’s a song by Ariana Grande called ‘Problem,’ and the whole team tries to hit the high notes. It’s fun. It started two or three games ago. We had karaoke one day, we had Headbanz another. Who knows what we’ll do Friday.”
Shelly went on to credit the seniors for the team’s camaraderie.
“They’ve been really great this year bringing everybody together and really focusing on working as a team, and if we work as a team, we can go further,” she said. “Even if somebody gets down, they’re there for everyone.
“They have confidence in all of us, and I think that’s what makes everybody want to push to do good to show them that we’re here for them. It’s their senior year, and we want them to do good. They’re showing us what leadership is all about, so we can take on that role (next year).”
That senior leadership was evident after Monday’s 2-0 state semifinal win over DuBois when the team’s captains made a point to acknowledge the underclassmen.
“The great part about this season was we did it as a team,” Brush said. “Every game – it wasn’t just one person winning it. It was a team effort.
“The sophomores can do it, the juniors can do it, the seniors can do it – everyone can do it, and that’s why this year has been so special.”
“Our job is to make sure everyone is on board with that,” DeLany said. “Even the bench is on board.”
Brush went on to credit the jayvee players called up for the playoff run.
“They’re on us,” she said. “They’re always cheering for us. Those little things really add up.”
“We told them in the beginning after they were called up that they might just be on the fence,” Paige Shelly said. “But they’re as much a part of the team as the nine on the field, and whatever they bring, it’s amazing. They’ve been awesome through the whole journey.”
And quite a journey it’s been for a team that has found a way to enjoy every moment of the ride.
“It’s amazing,” Dayna Shelly said. “Last year we made it to playoffs, but we didn’t make it this far. We just keep rolling with it and going with it.
“We’ve been having a blast playing every game, putting our best out on the field.”
“It’s indescribable,” Paige Shelly added “It really is.
“People might not understand what it’s like to be in this situation and be here and be a part of Souderton softball, but words cannot even describe how amazing this feels and how great it is to be a part of this. I still can’t believe we’re here. To be honest, I’m more excited for the state championship game than I am for graduation (Thursday night).”
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