Outfielder Ashley Peterson The Belles softball team is celebrating three things as the school year winds down: a winning season, record scoring, and triumph over adversity. This season brought challenges to the team, including a few injuries and the loss of two pitchers.
But that didn’t stop these sluggers from scoring major league runs, and bringing in the wins. The Belles finished the season with 23-10 overall record, winning 12 games in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play.
As Belles coach Erin Sullivan says, “It really goes to show you what the power of positive thinking and hard work can do.” The 2004 graduate has been coaching the Belles for three years, and she worked hard to inspire her team this season. Her coaching helped motivate a star hitter, an undefeated pitcher, and several players who have earned Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) honors.
Sullivan’s motto is “Winning isn’t fun; if you have fun, you will win,” and that has worked for the Belles this season. “Our team bought into that and had as much fun playing this fantastic sport as they could,” she explains. “I can only imagine how proud they must be after accomplishing so much.”
And accomplish they did. Outfielder Ashley Peterson has been a major player this season, and was recently named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III Central Region team. This year she broke the Belles record for hits in a season with 55 hits, including 36 RBIs.
Peterson puts Coach Sullivan’s motto to work. “I can honestly say that I have never had more fun doing anything other than playing softball,” says the sophomore nursing major. “Having the opportunity to play with such amazing athletes and people makes me want to play well and do my best.”
Peterson credits the whole team for this season’s success. “I think the most important thing about every single one of our players is that everyone on the team wanted to be there, wanted to work hard, and had the desire to be the best they could be.”
