‘We hold each other up’: NCTC softball team returns after tragedy [lst game since 4 players killed]

DallasNews.com (Dallas Morning News) ^ | June 30, 2015 | Kate Hairopoulos

[Colofornian]

GAINESVILLE — The North Central Texas College softball team lined up on the third-base line Friday afternoon, each player resting her hand on the shoulder of the teammate in front of her.

They stood like so, heads of ponytails and braids bowed, their red jerseys bold against the January gray, in a public moment of silence.

The sting of grief has become familiar for this team since an 18-wheeler plowed into the Lady Lions’ team bus last September, killing four players, none yet 21.

All 15 of the players riding in the bus and coach Van Hedrick, who started the junior college’s softball program 17 years ago and was driving, were injured. At least two of the survivors are still battling their injuries.

But Friday represented a new step.

Tears smeared eye black. The national anthem played. The lunchtime crowd, some wearing “angels in the infield” T-shirts, cheered at the ballpark, which gives way to cattle and horse farms beyond its fence. Soon, the bat connected with the ball for a loud thwack. For the first time since the wreck, the Lady Lions played softball again. A new season.

“We hold each other up no matter what,” said pitcher Bailey Buchanan of Crandall, who has had nearly 10 surgeries since the accident and doesn’t know if she will ever play again. “We’re strong. We’ve made it through this and we’re still going, so ...”

The players who were killed were Brooke Deckard, 20, a first baseman from Blue Ridge; Jaiden Pelton, 19, a catcher from Telephone; Meagan Richardson, 19, a pitcher from Wylie; and Katelynn Woodlee, 18, a shortstop from Windom.

[Colofornian]

From the article:

GAINESVILLE — The North Central Texas College softball team lined up on the third-base line Friday afternoon, each player resting her hand on the shoulder of the teammate in front of her. They stood like so, heads of ponytails and braids bowed, their red jerseys bold against the January gray, in a public moment of silence. The sting of grief has become familiar for this team since an 18-wheeler plowed into the Lady Lions’ team bus last September, killing four players, none yet 21. All 15 of the players riding in the bus and coach Van Hedrick, who started the junior college’s softball program 17 years ago and was driving, were injured. At least two of the survivors are still battling their injuries.

[Colofornian]

(Sorry, my autocorrect put “June” vs. Jan. for date)