Fueled by a 13 strikeout and no-hit performance by sophomore pitcher Maribeth Gorsuch, the Farmers softball team soundly defeated Trinity last night in its first playoff game, 16-0 in Euless.

The Farmers are the state’s 11th-ranked 5A team with a record of 25-7 overall. Now, the team will continue on their journey to defend last year’s 5A state championship.

The team can either this round at home tonight with a win at Killough. If needed, the tiebreaker would be at Killough on Saturday night. All games begin at 7 p.m.

“I feel really good about it; I loved winning last night,” Gorsuch said. “They’re a good team, but I think what helped us win was our bats. We were really hyped about our first playoff game, because we just want to go back to state.”

Offensively, the Farmers were already leading 9-0 before a 7-run seventh inning, highlighted by senior Miranda Worthington’s 3-run home run.

To avoid faults in their games this playoff season, senior Megan Haggard said that the team never assumed what the other team would bring to the table.

“We went out there with our A-game and I think it showed in the score,” Haggard said. “We went out there ready to play, we showed up and we balled out. That’s all we asked from our teammates: go out there, have fun, and play ball. That’s what we did.”

Since the team has moved on to postseason, they feel like they have improved despite finishing second in district to Flower Mound.

“I feel confident,” Haggard said. “This year, we had trouble with Flower Mound again, and went undefeated throughout the rest of district. We’ve done our job on the field like we’re supposed to.”

The girls know that there are eight other players on out on the field, and each one of them is a key component in the game. To ensure good plays, the girls said they focus on trusting each other and working together.

“I play for my team because a team is everyone, not just one person,” Gorsuch said. “You can’t win a game with just one person. I play for my team, I pitch for my team, I hit for my team. I go out there and try to give them my all.”

According to the Texas Girls Coaches Association, the girls are eight spots below Flower Mound [25-6-1], while the team to watch out for in the playoffs is Katy Cinco Ranch, number one in Class 5A with 25-1.

“I know it’s going to be a hard journey,” Gorsuch said. “We just have to stick together and play as one.”

To be part of a team, the girls have to enjoy the game. It’s their devotion to softball that encourages the softball team to persevere through each game.

“Honestly, just the feeling of being on the field, people watching you,” senior Jessica Nelson. “The thrill of the game and the love of the game. Just playing with my sisters on the team. We motivate each other. We want to play for each other.“

Through the bond they have established, the softball team has learned what it means to be a team.

Sophomore Tommi Goodman said she takes pride in playing for the Farmers.

“Having [my school’s] name across my chest is an amazing feeling,” Goodman said. “I try to do it justice.”