Community Champions: Chapin softball team ready for Elite 8 matchup

The Chapin softball team had a goal this season to make it past the area round of the playoffs after falling in that round last year.

They’re now three rounds beyond that round so it’s safe to say they’ve accomplished that goal and then some.

“Ending it early last year and losing in area, we made it a goal this year to make it past area and work even harder than we did last year,” said pitcher Kristin Fifield.

The Huskies will meet Canyon in the Elite 8 of the 5A state playoffs in a best-of-three series beginning Thursday. All games will be played in Seminole. Game one will take place at 6:30 p.m. CST with game two to follow on Friday at 11 a.m. CST. If the teams need to play a decisive third game, it will be held at 11 a.m. CST on Saturday.

“It’s great. Honestly, we say it after every practice before we leave. It’s, ‘We want another week. We want another week. We want to keep going,'” said infielder Avery Lujan.

Chapin and Canyon have both had excellent seasons so far. Neither team lost a district contest during the regular season. Chapin players said they expect Canyon’s best shot, but they’re confident because they know they’ll have the support of their teammates.

“It’s a really good feeling to have when you’re this close to your team,” said Fifield.

Lujan said this team is more of a family than a ball club.

“It’s fun being around my team all the time,” she said. “They’re my family.”

Chapin had never reached an Elite 8 until this year. Now, they’ve got a chance to also say they were the first Huskies team to reach the Final Four.