The Miners softball team’s season came to a close on Tuesday afternoon.
Park City was celebrating five seniors on senior day.
The Miners dropped game one of a doubleheader with Highland 9-6, rallying in game two to win 18-8.
There were a good amount of fans as the baseball team held a simultaneous senior day game. Parents of the two teams grilled up hot dogs between the two fields for players, fans, coaches and umpires.
The loss and victory left the Miners at 4-14 for the season. Ranked at the bottom of the 4A classification, they missed out on the 24-team playoffs.
“We loved the win,” said Park City Head Coach Ashley Manusos. “It was a good way to send off our seniors.”
The senior class included Lilly Hollyand, Mackenzie Saladyga, Evelyn Riley, Ellie Burnett and Ruby Neath. Holland was second on the team this season in on-base and fielding percentage, and Riley was second in runs and third in stolen bases and triples.
“We have been really lucky to have seniors since I have coached here that have played a large role,” Manusos said. “She’s (Riley) been with us for one year, but it seems like four the way she fits in. Lilly has also really transformed as a player and a human. She’s a killer; she wants it and won’t let anyone take it from her without a fight.”
Manusos credited one of her players, who’s on the school’s student council, for helping get fans to come out for the simultaneous senior day games. She is proud of the team for keeping a positive attitude during some of their struggles on the field.
“We hadn’t seen that type of energy, at least in my years here,” Manusos said. “The girls really enjoyed it. … We’d obviously love to see that more in the future, not just for us, but every athletic competition.”
The team feels optimistic about the direction of the program despite missing the playoffs. They are proud to have had 25 girls try out for their teams this season.
“I love the idea of playoffs,” Manusos said. “It’s cool to say you made it. But, the concept needs to mean something. You go to the playoffs to win out or lose with a fight. The structure they have now really doesn’t compliment that.”
Last season, the Miners made the playoffs but were eliminated in round one, losing two games 15-0 and 17-0.
“We have a solid foundation,” Manusos said. “We as a staff are reflecting upon how we can show up better for these kids.”
Holland said, “As long as they (future teams) listen to coaches Ashley, Blythe, Cassidy, Jamie and Erin, I think that anything is possible.”