Curtain

Call

Two weeks ago, a group of Teague seniors took the softball diamond for the last time.

Anayeli Bailon, Audrey Cearley, Kaylee Cuevas, Keely Mathis, Korree Riskin, Cate Satterwhite and Reese Stacks played together throughout their childhood, and finished their playing days on April 26 with a two-game loss to Little River Academy.

Most of these student-athletes did more than one sport, but softball was where this group of seven came together and found common ground.

“It’s extremely hard to believe that I won’t be wearing a Teague uniform anymore,” Mathis said. “These last four years have taught us a lot not just about softball, but about life in general. We have a great relationship on and off the field.”

Mathis will play softball at the University of Dallas next season. She looks forward to the opportunity to play at the next level.

“I did powerlifting and volleyball, too, but I love the team aspect of softball. It’s a game of failure and it’s an unpredictable sport.”

Another Lady Lion who will play at the next level is Cuevas. She will suit up for Lamar in the fall.

“It was a good, fun senior year,” Cuevas said. “We worked hard and got better as a team every day.”

Cuevas also has the school record for career strikeouts with 1,100. She participated in track and field, powerlifting and volleyball throughout her time at THS.

There’s no question, however, that softball is her first love. Cuevas believes that her time at Teague will help her succeed at the next level.

“I learned how to be a better teammate, to trust everyone on the field and know that they’re going to back me up,” she said. “I also learned to love the game and to take it day by day.”

One of Cuevas’ fellow Lady Lions could end up being a rival in college. Riskin will attend Stephen F. Austin, who plays against Lamar, and might walk on.

“I’m talking to SFA about playing for them,” Riskin said. “I might get to play against KK.”

Like Cuevas, Riskin also participated in powerlifting and volleyball while at THS. She will major in education with plans of becoming a teacher and coach.

“I love the competition and team sport aspect of softball. It’s also a sport where you can showcase your skills,” Riskin said. “I’m going to major in education and hope to become a high school English teacher and softball coach. Maybe one day, I can come back and coach here.”

One player who is on the fence about playing at the next level is Satterwhite. At the moment, she plans to attend MCC for radiology tech.

“I’d like to play in college if the right opportunity came along,” Satterwhite said.

While at Teague, Satterwhite played basketball and softball, and is open to playing either in college. She also has another distinction.

“I go by Cate, but my first name is Linsey,” Satterwhite said.

Bailon, Cearley and Stacks do not plan on playing at the next level. All three plan on becoming pediatric nurses, and keeping youth healthy.

Bailon and Stacks will not only attend UT-Tyler in the fall, but they will be roommates. Cearley will attend Tarrant County College and receive her associates degree in nursing before transferring to a four-year school to obtain her bachelor’s degree.

“I also did cheer and volleyball during my time at Teague,” Stacks said. “I like softball best because I grew up playing with these girls.”

Softball was the only sport Bailon played. She also was involved in plenty of non-athletic activities.

“I’m senior class president, NHS secretary, HHS secretary, HOSA VP, FFA, and UIL,” Bailon said. “Softball has a lot of teamwork aspects and we learned a lot of valuable lessons through it. I’m very grateful for that.”

Cearley also was involved in other activities - cheer, powerlifting and track. But softball was her favorite.

“I played softball my whole life,” Cearley said. “I love my team and being around them. We grew together. I loved playing with them and I’m going to miss them.”