The Hamilton Southeastern Royals varsity softball team faced Greenfield Central in a non-conference game on April 1, 2025. The Royals fell to the Cougars 4-1. The Cougars record is now 1-1 and the Royals are now 2-1. Although this was the first loss of the season, they will continue to not let this loss affect them. This is only the beginning for the Royals varsity softball team.

In the top of the first, junior Addison Richmond hit a solo home run to center field to put the Royals out in front at the top of the first with an early lead.

Freshman Kaleah McCarter pitched 4 innings surrendering 4 runs, 2 of which were earned. McCarter struck out 4 batters and walked 2. McCarter faced 22 batters total.

“I didn’t find out I was pitching until right before the game,” McCarter said. “I was really excited to pitch but then I got really nervous since it was the first time I started on varsity.”

The Royals were able to get 11 hits. Junior Addison Richmond went 2 for 4 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in. Chloe Smith had 2 hits as well as Richmond and McCarter. Emmy Seifferlein, Maggie Jenkins, Brooke Bauer, Makena Burlingame, and Lily Palmer had 1 hit each.

“My hope is that we learned how important is it to dig in and find the grit to keep pursuing the next little goal, “Pusti said. “We left a lot of players on base that game and need to work together to get them home.”

At the top of the 5th inning, Junior Grace Swedarsky took the mound and struck out 5 batters allowing no runs scored from the Cougars. The Royals weren’t able to pull it out at the end.

“With strong leadership, we should grow from this,” Pusti said. “We recognize what needs to be done, so let’s go out there and pursue it.”