BALDWIN, Fla. — The Baldwin Indians softball team is coming off of its fourth consecutive Gateway Conference title, and now looks forward to making their 3rd straight State Final Four.
But getting past that point continues to be a roadblock.
"I think both of the years that we've been, we've just been so caught up in the moment, because it's a first for us. We've never done anything quite like that," said Cali Hartung, senior catcher.
However, the biggest issues were not on the diamond.
"Towards the end of the season, we've kind of broken up as a team a little bit. Just outside things influencing us in the inside," said Riley Paige, senior second baseman and outfielder.
So, this season, the team is taking a different approach.
"We spend a day each week at practice working on our mental health," said head coach Jennifer Shields.
"We're having meetings each Wednesday with one of our staff members, Mr. Scott, like every Wednesday, and it just brings us all together. It helps us in the field communication like picking each other up," said Kendall North, junior first baseman.
Due to faltering in moments that matter the most, the Indians are still vying for the program's first-ever state title.
"Coming from seventh grade, from 12-years-old, to now being a senior being 18, that's a lot of work put in. All that effort, I just want it to finally pay off and I just want to leave and graduate with a ring," said Hartung.
And for a town like Baldwin with a population under 1,500, just imagine what it would mean.
"They wouldn't be surprised, but they would definitely be like, about time," said Shaylen Byrd, senior pitcher.
To get over this final hump, coach Shields says the team needs to just show up when it matters most.
"Big time players make big time plays in big situations. Obviously, our big players have to step up," said Shields.
Baldwin heads into the District Finals against Episcopal with a 25-1 record.