Senior Grace Schumacher and her sister junior Anna Schumacher both cite a softball game from two years ago against Canon-Mac as their favorite memory from playing on the same team. 

“We were down by two. We had lost 18-0 the day before, so the team morale was pretty down,” Grace Schumacher said. “But then we ended up winning the game 3-2, and I felt like that was the moment when our team clicked with one another and it is something I consider one of the best moments of my life.” 

Grace Schumacher has been playing softball with her sisters since she was 5 years old, and she gives softball credit for preparing her for her future. 

“My siblings and I all started playing when we were really young because both my parents played baseball and softball in high school and college,” Schumacher said. “Though they started us in the sport, we stayed with it because we all developed a mutual love for the sport.” 

Schumacher says she credits softball for bringing her close together with her sisters Anna Schumacher and freshman Madalyn Schumacher. 

“I have been playing softball with my sister Anna for school ever since we were little, but my sister Maddie is a bit younger than me so we don’t play together for school,” Schumacher said.  

Schumacher recalls game memories with her two sisters as something valuable for her. 

“We all play together in our travel team, so one game my sisters and I all had home runs after each other and it was just a really fun experience for us three,” Schumacher said. 

Anna Schumacher sees her sister as an inspiration. 

“She influenced me into playing softball because growing up I enjoyed watching her play,” Anna Schumacher said.

As her senior season winds down, Grace Schumacher said she will miss having fun with her friends and family in softball. 

“I will never forget how Anna and I just cheer for each other throughout the games and make fun of each other to get the team’s spirits lifted,” Schumacher said. “We take the games seriously, but we also try to have fun together.” 

Softball has given her a lot of friends along the way. 

“Everyone on the team is like one big friend group since we all know each other and can relate to what each other is going through as a team,” Schumacher said. 

Junior Keira Platz said Schumacher is an energetic and motivated player. 

“Her energy makes her stand out from the team, and she is always excited and prepared for the day,” Platz said. “I am going to miss having her by my side in games. She is always cheering up the team.” 

Platz recalls one particularly funny memory that involved Schumacher. 

“Last season during a game, Grace and I were on the field and we both started rushing to get the same ball. We ended up colliding with each other and after we got up, the whole team took a moment to laugh together,” Platz said.

Softball has also taught her how to maintain a positive mentality, Schumacher said. 

“One of the key things is that even if the season isn’t going too well, you have to keep a positive mentality, or else your team will be affected by your bad mentality,” Schumacher said.

 “Sometimes I see girls being in bad moods about not having a good season, and that upsets me,” she said. “I don’t want the team to have bad attitudes my last season, so this year I am just trying to get myself better every practice, and trying to spread positive attitudes around the team, because once one person gets down, the whole team starts to lose morale.¨

Schumacher also gives softball credit for preparing her for the future. 

“Softball has taught me how to be independent and how to be a leader,” Schumacher said. “I like being there for the girls, so when no one steps up to give them the push that they need to succeed, I step up and tell them that everything will be OK.”

Schumacher said softball has always been her happy place.
“I see softball as a way to get out of my head, and it also helps me deal with stress. In a game, all of my other worries kind of just go away, because I am just focused on the game and my friends, and how we can do better as a team.” 

Schumacher said she would tell anyone playing any sport to just take some time and think about how they can better help the team. 

“I learned that you can never control your opponents, so all you can really do is just make sure you are always putting forth your best effort and your best self on the field,” Schumacher said.