CASEY, Ill. (WAWV/WTWO) – Casey-Westfield High School softball team will play in the state finals for the first time in 15-years.
Athletic Director and Softball Coach Dalton McFarland said this is the high schools first time in the final four since he started back 5-years ago.
“To get back into finals after 15-years of not making it here in the program is a huge step for our girls,” McFarland said.
The Casey-Westfield High School softball team is 36 and 1.
McFarland said with the way this season has gone, the girls have gained quite the audience.
“We have a lot of support every game,” McFarland said. ” We have about 100 people here watching every game.”
Many of the upperclassmen on the team said they couldn’t imagine the season going any other way.
“Every year our goal is to always make it to state but this being my senior year it’s really special,” Emma Mason said.
“We experienced it at the junior high level, but it is something that each of us are new to at the high school level,” Kennedy Repp said. “I think we are all really excited to be here.”
Tetzel Prime and Casey Coffee Company said many of the players are frequent customers and are excited to cheer the Warriors on.
“The community is really excited to rally behind the girls,” Tetzel Prime Manager Ashley Athey said. “We love to see them stop by and they are great girls’ on and off the field.”
“A lot of us that had played softball now our daughters play,” Casey Coffee Company Barista Tara Ring said. “It’s exciting to watch them go all the way.”
Warriors’ Home Field and the USA Softball Museum of Illinois are both located at Fairview Park. Museum President Steve Voris said the number of visitors have increased this record breaking season.
“It’s always been very popular, but you know a successful year will make people come out of their wood work,” Voris said.
June 3rd is Casey-Westfield’s first state final game.
