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05/30/2019 12:00 AMIt’s important for a softball squad to be positive if it wants to succeed in a sport that features so many twists and turns. The Old Saybrook softball team has seen its fair share of ups and downs this year, but senior captain Sarah Howley stayed upbeat and helped lead the Rams to a strong finish that included two postseason berths.
Sarah is a three-year member of Old Saybrook’s varsity club who’s been playing softball since she was seven. This spring, the Rams’ playoff aspirations were hanging by a thread as they needed to win four of their last five games to guarantee themselves a spot in the postseason.
Sarah and company were true to the task. Last week, Old Saybrook clinched a spot in both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and the Class S State Tournament by winning its regular-season finale. Sarah, who plays left field for the Rams, is sporting on-base percentage of .366 on the year.
“Softball is a lot of fun to me, because the girls on this team have a deep connection with each other, which leads to how we play and we click on the field,” says Sarah. “I’ve improved the most on keeping my mindset positive when it comes to the team and myself. I used to get mad after I struck out or made an error, but now I just have the mindset that I’ll get the next one.”
Sarah embraces the camaraderie that flows throughout Old Saybrook’s outfield. Sarah likes stepping up to support her infielders, but she’s always ready to run back and make a great grab.
“I love playing left field, because we pump each other up after making catches and support each other after mistakes,” Sarah says. “Sometimes we play on bigger fields with fences that are far back, so I just try and cope with the fact that if the ball goes to me, then I’ll have to deal with it myself.”
Sarah’s mental toughness is proving a valuable asset in her role as a captain. Sarah stresses to her teammates that a little bit of optimism can help anyone get out of a slump.
“We have struggled sometimes with keeping our mindset up as a team. I’ve gotten better at being more optimistic, so I have to just show them how to have and keep that positive mindset,” says Sarah. “I think I have helped people grow through that.”
Sarah was an infielder before moving to left field as a sophomore. Head Coach Katelyn Livingston says that Sarah showed her skills as a budding leader by doing what benefited the Rams.
“Sarah came into the program as an infielder, but graciously transitioned into an outfielder during her sophomore year, as that was what the team needed,” Livingston says. “She earned the job as captain during her senior year because of her experience, leadership, and passion for the game. Sarah is not only a leader in the way she plays, but she is also a vocal leader in the dugout.”
Sarah will be attending Southern Connecticut State University this fall. No matter how her final season at Old Saybrook plays out, Sarah feels proud of what the Rams accomplished and how they grew as group in 2019.
“In the beginning of the year, it was rough and some of our wins didn’t come until midseason. We really came together towards the end of the year, and that is how we made the postseason,” says Sarah. “With our team, if we have an off day or game, we bring each other up so well, and I love that.”