The varsity softball team is off to a 14-10 record this season. The girls are ranked No. 18 in the AIA Power Rankings. The team has had to push through a tough schedule, facing top teams like No. 6 Basha, No. 3 Gilbert and No. 1 Red Mountain. The games played against these teams will decide the playoff fate of PHS since the slow start of the season.

Even though the schedule has been demanding, the record shows they are contenders. The playoffs will not be reached unless the team can win important games against Hamilton, Mountain View and Gilbert. “We need to work as a team during those games,” senior captain Laynee Gomez said.

Gomez, who has recorded 13 stolen bases, says scoring a lot of runs will help achieve winning these games.

Not only does playing well and scoring a lot of runs help win games, so does the way you prepare according to head coach Kevin Chapin. “[In practice] we throw the ball harder and put pressure on our hitters… so that we can mimic the situations,” Chapin said. “Typically better teams have better pitchers.”

The team has a respectable duo of pitchers of their own that challenge other teams. Senior Alyssa Barlow and sophomore Taylor Vogel have impressed their coach as the two- girl rotation of pitchers.

Chapin said Barlow is having a breakout year, which he considers an understatement. “At the beginning of the season I was on fire, but right now I’m having a little trouble… but I am still able to keep batters off balance,” Barlow said.

Barlow is not only pitching well, she is also batting .467. Entering the season, Chapin knew she would pitch well, but the hitting has been an impressive bonus to his lineup.

This team has the depth and experience to overcome a schedule like this. Whether it is Vogel and Barlow on the mound or Gomez at the plate, the girls and coach Chapin have the recipe to make a playoff push a reality.