By Hayley Lewis
Over Spring Break, Bluffton’s Softball team traveled to Davenport, Florida to play our annual spring games. We ended up winning 5 of 10 games, which is the most wins during the Spring Break games since 2017 when the team won 7 of 10 games.
However, this story is not just about the players on the field, how many runs we scored, or if we won or lost. This is about our experiences off the field and how we spent free time in Florida while working to make our university proud back home in Ohio.
On Wednesday, March 8, the players got the day off to spend time with our families. The players went all over the Orlando area. Sydney Zinkon, a senior exercise science major and second baseman enjoyed her day off at Seaworld with her mom. They both agreed it was a great time. They decided to go there after a suggestion from her mother’s work friend. They thought a new experience was the perfect way to end Zinkon’s senior year Florida trip.
These spring games meant a lot to Zinkon. For this season she said she wants to give it her all and play as hard as she can every game including those over break. Zinkon played for her late grandpa who would have loved watching her play in Florida all three years she has been there.
“This team really means a lot to me, and I have made some of my best friends for the rest of my life on this team,” said Zinkon. “I’m forever grateful for these girls.”
Another player that enjoyed her day away from the fields was junior psychology major and catcher Taylor Born. This was Born’s first spring games as a Bluffton Beaver since she transferred from Tiffin University this past fall.
Born found her first spring games to be very exciting, and a much more relaxed environment than she has been used to in the past. This year Born’s goal is to enjoy being on the field again and to continue to shift the culture of the program, growing as a team, and doing things nobody else thinks they can do as a team or individuals.
For Born’s day off she went to Disney Springs with her boyfriend. They enjoyed lots of tasty food, hanging out at the resort, floating down the lazy river and a nice long nap.
Born knew coming to Bluffton would be a big change for her. However, she says this place felt like home to her fast.
“No one looked at me like the new girl or excluded me. I was immediately invited to things and had people wanting to know me,” said Born. “I also knew that everyone already knew some of what was happening in my life. I saw that support before I was even on campus. It meant the world.”
Born can’t wait to see what the softball program has in store this year and can’t wait to see how she grows as a player and a teammate.
The Bluffton Softball team is more than just players on the field. We are college students forming friendships for the rest of our lives while making bonds stronger with each other and our families.
This Spring Break all the players got to enjoy themselves while also playing their sport. Now the Beavers are back to Bluffton, and we are ready to get our regular spring season into full swing!
