March 28, 2024

Softball team celebrates finishing runner-up at 3A state tournament

After finishing runner-up at the state tournament, Clarke’s softball team returned to where it all started — the high school softball field.

The team was escorted into town by a row of Osceola police vehicles and fire trucks Friday night. The Lady Indians were returning from Fort Dodge after Bondurant-Farrar claimed a 6-3 victory over them in the 3A championship game.

A crowd of well-wishers was at the high school to greet and congratulate the girls on their season.

If the team was feeling sad after losing the championship game, they didn’t show it. Once the team vans were parked, the girls jumped out, screamed, hugged each other and started dancing to their rally song, which is Miley Cyrus’ “We Can’t Stop.”

Coach

The Lady Indians’ enthusiasm was infectious. The crowd started chanting to Coach Lindsay Diehl, “Speech, speech!”

Diehl said she first wanted to thank the community on their support, and added, her Facebook page and cell phone have “never blown up more” in her life.

“As proud as I am of the girls, I’m proud to be from this community, and to work at the school and have the opportunity to coach here,” Diehl said. “And I couldn’t thank you enough. It means so much to me, and I know it means so much to these kids to see all that maroon in the stands. We’re going to go back next year and we’re going to win the whole thing.”

The crowd erupted with cheers and whistles.