Fairfax — After winning four of their first six games to open the current season, only losing to Liberty District opponents Madison and Mclean High, the Fairfax Rebels girls' softball team seems to be adapting well to their new coach, Matt Hoffert.
And Hoffert has a clear view of what he would like to accomplish with his team this spring, explaining that he sees this season as one where his players will continue learning how to practice better and improving as a team.
Losing their first game of the season by a 9-1 score to visiting Madison on March 20, Fairfax managed to win four in a row after that - versus guest Dominion High of the Dulles District, 6-3, on March 22; at Liberty opponent Langley High, 4-2, on March 23; at home over W.T. Woodson, 14-4, on March 26; and at Liberty opponent Jefferson in a high-scoring game, 13-12, on March 27.
However, the Rebels experienced a defeat, 5-1, against visiting district rival McLean High on March 30.
THE REBELS have shown great results in their opening six games and first-year coach Hoffert continues to have confidence that his players, if they keep getting better as a team each day, can have continued good success. The coach stresses that Fairfax, in order to achieve a winning season and do well at districts and regionals later in the season, has to play its best every time the Rebels step out on the field.
And his philosophy has led the way to some good results. Comparing the opening six games this spring - a 4-2 record, 39 runs scored to 35 allowed - to the opening six games last spring-season - 0-6 start, 17 runs scored, 83 allowed - is proof of the importance coach Hoffert has emphasized about the team playing together.
While the team has talented players such as catcher Farren Tashjian and pitcher Caitlin Buchanan playing particularly well, Hoffert is pleased with the Rebels as a whole. Everyone, from senior centerfielder Tiffany Balbuena to junior infielder Abby Sisson, has contributed to the team's winning ways.
After a week of spring break, in which the team chose to stay at home and do maintenance work on their field, the Rebels were preparing to play district games this week against visiting Marshall on Tuesday, April 10, and at South Lakes this Friday night, April 13 at 6:30. In taking on the Statesmen and Seahawks, Fairfax had high hopes of winning their fifth and sixth games of the season.
The team's upcoming games will go a long way in determining if the Rebels really are a district contender or if they are simply off to a strong start behind the momentum of having a new coach. Whatever the case, coach Hoffert has made a great effort pulling the team together and encouraging the Rebels to play as well as they have.