MONT BELVIEU, Texas – On multiple ranking boards, the Barbers Hill softball team sits at the top as the No. 1 team in the nation.
The Eagles have advanced to the Area Round of the UIL 5A playoffs with an impressive record of 32 wins and just three losses.
So, what does being ranked the best team in the country mean to the Eagles?
“It’s just an amazing feeling—you can’t even put it into words. It shows how much work we put in. Even when we don’t have practice, there are about ten of us out here every single day. It’s awesome knowing our hard work is paying off,” said junior pitcher Macie Bryant.
“We know that a number in front of your name really doesn’t mean anything—it just puts a big target on our back. But it’s a pretty cool position to be in. If we want to earn that spot and keep it, we have to play well each and every game,” said head coach Aaron Fuller.
A major source of motivation for this year’s team is last season’s loss in the state championship game.
“I feel like that fuels us. If you don’t want to get up and work, just remember other people are working, so you’ve got to go do it too. It makes it easier knowing we were so close and didn’t win it. This team is ready to do whatever it takes,” Bryant added.
“Our bench players and starters—it doesn’t matter who you are—they’re all elite ballplayers. There’s really no room to slack off, and that creates an extra drive for the players who really want it,” said junior third baseman JosLynn Cooper.
The Eagles will face College Station in the Area Round of the playoffs on Wednesday and Thursday, with a possible Game 3 on Friday if necessary.