The Herald-Zeitung

Fans Smithson Valley coach Wayne Daigle usually has a handle on his emotions when in a pressure situation, especially on the softball diamond.

But when it comes to the emotion-filled sendoff that the Rangers received from family and friends Thursday afternoon at Smithson Valley High School, he couldn’t help but smile with pride.

“I’ve got a lump in my throat just seeing everybody out here today and the support we’ve received through this whole season,” said Daigle. “We pride ourselves as being a community and this really hits that point home.”

Family and friends crowded the SUVs painted with “Go Rangers!” slogans to give the Smithson Valley softball team a proper sendoff that was fitting for such a tight-knit community.

“We’re really proud of all they’ve accomplished and for the opportunity they have in front of them,” said Frank Booker, father of senior Kayla Booker. “The coaching staff and all the girls have put a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point, and being a parent, we know how many tears it took to get to this moment.”

It was a totally different scene last week during practice leading up to the Austin Bowie series and Booker believes that the Rangers really became a team of destiny once they got over that major hurdle and made it to the state tournament.

“The Bowie series really showed them play as a team, more so than any game I’ve seen this season,” said Booker. “A lot of games they’ve played were blowouts so they never had a chance to dig down deep to win games.

“It was amazing to see them finally achieve what they set out to do (in making it to the state finals). I was really impressed that even the Bowie coaches acknowledged what a special team we had.”

Susan Haynes, whose twin nieces are Katie and Whitney Repole, was busy passing out pom-poms to the other parents and was beaming with pride watching the Rangers drive off on their way to Austin.

“This is truly a huge accomplishment for them. 5A softball is the best class in the state and we’re No. 1,” said Haynes, who cheered on the Rangers as they pulled out of the parking lot. “We believe the girls can do it and we’re busting with pride right now.”

Haynes wasn’t hesitant when asked if the Smithson Valley fans will standout among the other fans in attendance tonight.

“A lot of the men are going to dye their beards blue and we’ve got T-shirts made up that commemorate this event and Mardi Gras beards,” said Haynes. “It’s going to be electric in that stadium. We’re not going to be able to contain ourselves.”

Ranger hurler Bailey Watts said that this gathering really hit home that this team is special and couldn’t wait to get on the field.

“I’m so excited to see everyone come out and cheer us on,” said Watts. “It means so much to the team so see this kind of support. We just have to go out and do our part and bring the championship home.”

As the vehicles pulled out of the parking lot, Booker couldn’t help but think back on all the spring breaks, holidays and teen functions that the Ranger girls have missed over the years and knows that it’ll all be worth it.

“We, as parents, have been the good and bad times with our girls,” said Booker. “But this is a memory that they’ll hold on to for the rest of their lives.

“I just can’t wait to be there to witness this. I know I won’t be able to hold back the tears and its something I’ll always cherish.”