Haley Tracy is all about making connections.
“We have a younger team, but I think we are doing great,” Tracy said after a 4-3 road loss to Homewood-Flossmoor on April 17. “As a senior you have a role to connect with everybody else and that includes my seniors.”
Tracy pitched all six innings for the Eagles, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks while striking out seven.
“I’ve gotten a lot of playing time this year and I just use my opportunity to be more confident,” Tracy said.
“She’s just so focused,” Sandburg coach Amanda Allison said. “She’s driven and she’s got a great work ethic.”
Third baseman Gianna Shoenecker had a RBI double and later scored a run in the first inning. Second baseman Shea Durkin extended the Eagles’ lead to three runs when she laid down a successful squeeze bunt that went for a single.
Tracy has bought into what Allison’s theme is for the program: connections.
“It’s connections to your teammates, player to player, coach to player, and players within the program regardless of what level — and really playing for one another,” Allison said.
To further push the theme, Sandburg softball has started the Intentional Connection award. The first recipient: Tracy.
Allison highlights Tracy’s work ethic and how she helps out her teammates in any way she can. One example: attending the service for a teammate’s family member who died recently.
“Nobody asked her to do it,” Allison said. “Nobody told her to do it. She did it on her own.
“Of course we want to win, we love a winning program. But at the end of the day softball is bigger than all of us.”
Outside of Sandburg, Tracy plays travel softball for the Tinley Park Rockers under Sarah Fahey. Fahey has seen Tracy’s leadership up close, too.
“She’s not just a leader on the field. She’s always there when a teammate needs help,” Fahey said. “Whether it’s showing them how to grip a pitch, helping them through a tough game or just being someone to laugh with, Haley’s the first to step in.”
Tracy, who also plays first base for the Eagles, aims to finalize her college softball plans in the coming weeks.
Her message to her teammates is simple.
“Never give up,” Tracy said. “Just because you aren’t playing doesn’t mean you’re not a good player. You wait your turn. Once you get your turn, show it.”