NFM softball won’t be satisfied with regionals

Last season the North Fort Myers High School softball team came within one game of making it to states, losing to Chamberlain 3-1 in the regional final.
Such a performance this year would be unacceptable to this team.
They want more.
Much more.
That’s why they play every game with a sense of urgency, as exemplified by the team’s 10-1 record and its 4-1 victory over a very good Bishop Verot team in the rain last Monday that also entered its contest with one loss.
Coach John Keyes said the team has responded in all its games, especially against district rival Venice, whom they beat the previous week after being handed its only loss of the season earlier in the season, and Ida Baker.
North put the game away in the first inning, when it scored all its runs. Alynn Kayatta drove in a run with a double, starting pitcher Mackenzie Peterson drove in another on a fielder’s choice and freshman Natavia Ellis doubled home two more to make it 4-0.
Peterson took control from there, allowing only an unearned run in the third on just three hits. She struck out seven and hit a batter with no walks.
“It’s important to score in the first inning for us. If we do that, we have strong enough pitching to get us through the game,” Keyes said. “We didn’t get any more runs, but Mackenzie pitched a great game and we played defense.”
“We have to bring it every night. We look good this year. We really want it this year. We went to regional finals and we want states this year,” Peterson said.
Kate Kelly, senior captain, said the team gets along great and has a great synergy.
“We’re all heading for the same goal. Our focus is the same. One team, one dream,” Kelly said. “Our heads are in it every day, putting the work in. If one isn’t doing well, there’s someone picking us up.”
Most amazing about this team is it is generally young. Of its four seniors, two play regularly. The bulk of the team is composed of freshmen and sophomores. Peterson is a sophomore, as are Marion Reed, Summer Ackerson and Shelby Coyne. Sajarie Jones and Ellis start as freshmen.
All these kids were ready to play the moment they stepped on the field, Keyes said.
“The future looks bright for us and I hope we keep playing well. We’re fortunate the kids who can play come here. They have choices and they make it for academics,” Keyes said. “Most of our kids play year-round, eight of them for one travel team.”
Going forward, the team has games against Fort Myers and Lemon Bay on tap, followed by a tournament in Kissimmee during spring break, all to prepare them for the money games in April.