As the Bullitt East Chargers step onto the field for another season, a sense of determination and unity fuels this year’s team. With a roster stacked with experienced juniors and seniors, the Chargers are looking to push further than ever before and make a deep postseason run.
For junior Second Baseman Katlyn McDonald, softball has been a significant part of her life since she was in seventh grade. Now in her fifth year with the team, she feels a special connection to the game and her teammates. “I’ve grown up playing it, and my best friends are there,” McDonald said. “I just love being a part of a team where all of us are encouraging and we all play for one another.”
This season, McDonald believes the team is more prepared and experienced than in previous years, and she’s eager to see how far they can go. “I think our team this year is a little bit more advanced. All of us, all the juniors and seniors are starters, and we have all the experience, so I’m just excited to see what we can do and how far we can make a run in the postseason,” McDonald said. “We’ve been cut short before, and I think we’re all ready to take the next step and fight for what we want.”
That motivation and drive are repeated by senior shortstop Courtney Bass, whose love for the game runs deep in her family’s history. “It’s kind of a family sport. All of my sisters grew up playing softball, my dad played baseball, my mom kept baseball stats for Bullitt East when she was here, and my grandpa is in the softball hall of fame,” Bass said. “I started when I was three years old because it was a family tradition, and I just stuck with it.”
With her family as her biggest supporters, Bass is determined to make the most of her senior season. Over the years, she’s learned the importance of leadership and maintaining a positive mindset.
“I have to not only keep myself in check but be the one to go over there and be like, ‘Hey, you’re doing great, it’s fine, you’re okay,’” she said. “My main goal for myself is just to go out there, have fun, do the best you can, show what you got, leave it all out there, and don’t have any regrets.”
Junior Molly Johnston, who plays third base and pitches, shares a similar feeling. “All the friends I’ve made have kept me going, and I officially just found that I loved this sport and all the friends that come along with it,” Johnston said. “Our team goal is to make it to state.”
Johnston also prides herself on being a positive force for the team both on and off the field. “I would say I’m a very positive person and a pretty good leader. I include a lot of people, so not just on the field but off the field,” she said. “In school, I’ll always talk to all the players and build that connection outside of it.”
For senior Emma Thompson, keeping a positive mindset and spreading her love for the sport is key. “Individually, I would say just keeping a positive mindset throughout the game,” Thompson said. “I want to continue to spread my love for the sport, and I want to help people get connected with the softball team.”
Thompson also recalls one of her favorite game moments—Alivia Cooper’s walk-off grand slam against Central Hardin, a memory that still resonates with the team.
The Chargers are motivated and focused on the future. Their actions and words demonstrate the closeness they have as teammates. Bullitt East is prepared to leave its mark thanks to its seasoned leadership, determined attitude, and strong sense of teamwork. “We’ve been playing with each other for so long, and we all work with each other very well. We’re all friends, and we have a bond. We all want to fight for one another.” McDonald said.
