Stuck together

FISHERSVILLE
A joke and a handshake is all Wilson softball pitcher Summer Ramsey needed when she would feel a bit ruffled in the pitcher’s circle. The one person to offer that handshake and laugh was best friend Leah Pagett who happens to be her long-time catcher.
“We have a connection,” Ramsey said. “We just have learned from each other. I know how she is catching wise and she knows how I am pitching wise. That really helps that we know each other so well.”
Both players have known each other since they were 12-year-olds playing for the Babe Ruth youth softball team.
“We became friends fast and have been since,” Ramsey said.
Pagett spoke about her friend’s success over the years.
“I’ve seen her progress, and it makes me feel good that I’ve been there to watch her the whole time,” Pagett said. “I’m going to miss her, now that she is going go to play for Bridgewater.”
Hornet coach Maura Stout said she would miss the two players and their chemistry both on and off the field.
“I have been so blessed to watch these girls grow as athletes,” Stout said. “They bring a leadership to the team.”
Being on the same page has help the Hornets overall this season. Wilson was in its rebuilding year having five players that returned. The squad’s success has been a shock to Ramsey.
“Yes, I’m really surprised about the year we are having, we never expected it,” Ramsey said. “Players from the JV team came on and really stepped it up.”
When Ramsey and Pagett were freshmen, the upperclassmen treated them as equals. In turn, they have passed that on to the new players this year.
“They grew from that experience,” Stout said. “Leah and Summer are the first ones to pick up equipment. They don’t treat their underclass like they earned their senior spot – they are still there 100 percent for the whole game.”
Ramsey (14-1) took the success she earned in stride.
“When I came here the upper classmen helped me, they accepted me and that helped a lot,” she said “I just worked hard when I came in as a freshmen, that’s the only way to get better. I really practiced a lot and it evolved from there.”
There was another reason for Stout’s confidence in her players.  It was their character that they demonstrated on field.
“They have unspoken leadership roles and in the fact that they definitely lead by example.” Stout said.
At any crucial moment, Pagett knows how to settle her pitcher if she’s not hitting her mark.
“I will go to the mound and talk about anything, but softball,” Pagett said. “I will tell her a joke and make her laugh, and of course give her a handshake. But I know how to calm her down.”
Stout said that the two players have made the school community proud.
“Academically, they make Wilson proud and they make Wilson proud on the mound.” Stout said. “They are ladies, Lady Hornets, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t get dirty and play hard ball.”
The two friends wanted to finish their senior year on a high note.
“I can’t believe that we are graduating soon,” said Pagett. “It’s great way to end our senior year.”