FAIRLEA- The Greenbrier East Lady Spartans are gearing up for their first ever state tournament appearance on Wednesday, May 22 when they face the University Lady Hawks in Charleston.
East has enjoyed a magical season and a literal once-in-a-lifetime—at least so far—year on the diamond.
The Spartans feature five seniors that are being hailed as the best group of senior class girls in East softball history.
And those praises are well deserved and earned.
Taylor Boswell, Alanis McClary, Lily Carola, Kayla Bartley, and Gracie Gumm have all had sensational years. Each girl possesses talent, hard work, and each one also has their own play style that has contributed to their team’s success ahead of the state tourney appearance.
Boswell is a power hitting, sure handed shortstop that has signed with the University of Charleston. McClary, the leadoff hitter, has arguably been the most consistent hitter all season and has done it even while catching behind the plate most games. Bartley, in her first and only year as a transfer from Covington, and Carola, have carried the team not just at the plate—where both hit extremely well—but on the mound as well. Those two are basically 1-A and 1-B when discussing starting pitchers rather than a typical no. 1 and no. 2. Lastly, Gumm has speed, power, and plays center field as good as anyone the Spartans have had. Her strong throwing arm from back there has been an asset over the years as well.
For the rest of their lives, all five girls get to carry the torch as the only senior class to clinch a state tournament appearance. And to each one, it is a dream come true and something they will always remember.
“It’s very important and exciting to me that we are leaving a legacy behind,” McClary said.
“It feels great to be at the top of Spartan softball history and I love that these girls and I will never be forgotten for the things we have accomplished this year,” she added.
“Leaving behind the legacy that we are is so, so special,” Carola said.
“It’s something no one else has been able to do and we are finally doing it. It feels amazing to be on top. We have had the mindset all year that we were going to make it and we did,” Carola continued.
But it’s not just the state tournament that the seniors acknowledge. It has been their whole careers up to this point.
“The last four years have meant so much to me from all the memories and friendships I have made that I will cherish forever,” Boswell stated.
Gumm echoed those same thoughts and attributes her time as a Spartan to making her who she is today.
“The last few years of being a part of this team have meant so much because I have grown as a player from running bases and playing a little outfield as a freshman to being the starting center fielder for two years now. The past few years have prepared me for this year and gotten me to where I am today,” Gumm explained.
Carola, who plans to play college softball next year, also feels she was prepared for the tournament run based on her experience from the past couple years.
“The last few years have honestly been really great,” Carola said.
“Last year, I really thought we had it and were going to states, but we fell short, but it feels great that I have been able to lead this team to get where we are,” she added.
Bartley has not had the experience at East, but she has been a travel ball teammate of her fellow Spartans the last few seasons. She was also an all-conference performer across the Virginia border last year for the Cougars.
“This year at East has meant everything to me,” Bartley, a Bluefield State commit, said.
“Coming in as the ‘new player on the team’ never phased me and really, it hasn’t ever felt like I was new. This year has brought me many friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I will forever be thankful for this team,” Bartley stated.
Besides hard work and getting better naturally with age, each girl has several coaches and family they credit for the improvement towards success in their playing careers.
“I have to say I owe my success to my dad (Joey Boswell). He has coached me ever since I was little. He has pushed me to be my best even through all of our struggles, on and off the field,” Boswell said.
“I credit my family and all the coaches that I’ve had throughout the years. The person I credit the most though is my dad. He has been there for me through the highs and lows of my career and always pushed me to be better,” Bartley said.
“From pitching with me in the evenings to soft tossing in the cages, he is the reason I’m the athlete I am today. My family has always supported me no matter what and I’ll forever be thankful for everything they have done for me. I’ve had some of the best coaches throughout my career that I could ask for as well. Without them, none of my accomplishments would have been possible,” Bartley continued.
The other three answered similarly without hesitation as well.
“My mom for driving me to every practice when I was younger because without that practice I wouldn’t be where I am today. And Joey Boswell for being a travel coach and coaching high school the last few years. He makes softball fun and has pushed me even when I didn’t want to be pushed and I am grateful for that,” Gumm echoed.
“If I have to be honest, my family and myself,” Carola said.
“I have always been the underdog. I have always been looked over and that has had to make me work 10 times harder than anyone else. Yes, of course, I give my coaches throughout the years credit because I wouldn’t have the skill set that I do without them, but I mainly credit myself for continuing to believe in myself and push myself to be the best version of me,” she added.
McClary, still undecided on her collegiate playing future, was not about to be forgotten and she did not want to forget her two biggest influences either.
“I credit Joey Boswell and Danny Flores the most for my success. Joey has always helped each one of these girls and put the time in to make us better no matter how busy he is, and Flores has taught me how to be the player that I am today, and I will never forget these two,” McClary said thankfully.
Now, with a state tournament game coming up next week, there is one goal amongst each senior: Be excited, stay focused, and win the whole thing.
“I think going to the state tournament is an amazing accomplishment. There are so many benefits to being able to play here. We have seen University before and although we fell short, I believe we could beat them, but our main focus will be our first game and just staying positive,” Carola said.
“We can go all the way,” Gumm said.
“With the way we have been hitting, we can do it as long as we stay focused and don’t play too tight. Next week, I want to take it one inning at a time and go from there,” she continued.
Boswell added, “It’s been a dream of mine. I plan to win one game at a time. My goal is to become a state champ.
The community is set to rally around the entire team and the five seniors next week. The streets will be lined with people to send the team off with good vibes and all the girls want to do is come back to Greenbrier County with a shiny championship trophy that everyone can see.
“I’m confident in our team if we just battle and play to our best ability. I want to win it all and I’m sure that all the other seniors and team would like to also,” said McClary.
“Even though we have already made history, I hope to continue making history and win the state championship. I want the team to go to Charleston and show everyone what we have been working for day in and day out and that we are one of the best teams in the state,” Bartley concluded.
Each seniors’ stats in sectional and regional play as follows:
Boswell- .500 avg, 8 hits, 2 HR, 6 RBIs, and 7 runs scored.
McClary- .437, 7 hits, HR, 6 RBIs, and 7 runs scored.
Gumm- .384, 5 hits, HR, 3 RBIs, 2 walks, and 3 runs scored.
Carola- .352, 6 hits, 6 RBIs, 3 runs scored. On the mound- 15 IP, 11 hits, 22 strikeouts, 1.10 ERA.
Bartley– .300, HR, 4 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. Pitching- 18 IP, 15 hits, 19 strikeouts, 1.75 ERA.
