It’s just a few miles down Highway 69 from Eufaula to Crowder but it’s a path that Ironhead senior Emma Lovett has traveled a lot the last two years. “I grew up in Eufaula and moved to Crowder after fast pitch season my freshman year and then moved back to Eufaula in the middle of my sophomore year, so last year was the first time I’d gotten to play fast pitch at Eufaula. The difference between the atmosphere in the two places is crazy. I just feel like at Eufaula I have a coach that cares about me and all the other players and that really matters. We’re just a big group of girls that like to play softball and want to get better.” After a year of getting used to the expectations of Ironhead softball where she hit .268 with 26 hits, coach Ryan Green feels like Emma is set to have a big senior season. “Emma fit right in when she joined us last year and played a big role. She held her own in center field and made some big time plays and had some timely hits. We’re expecting big things from her this season to hopefully help lead us to state for a third straight year,” said Green. Last year one of Emma’s highlights wasn’t about a special play or game. “We lost some seniors going into last year and there were a lot of folks that doubted we would be very good, so it was nice to be able to prove them wrong by getting back to the state tournament. This year we’ll move up to Class 4A so I know they’ll be folks that will doubt us again, so my goal is to help prove them wrong again.” As part of the leadership group this year, Emma is taking a little different approach from what you normally hear. “I think part of being a good leader is certainly helping the young girls to some extent, but I want to stress showing up, working hard and having fun because if you’re not having fun, then why are you playing? Emma will hang up the bat and glove after this year as she plans to attend OU and get a degree.
