Letters from the FLCC Softball Sophomores
The day Coach Hoover told his FLCC softball team their season would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak was a difficult one for everyone. However, it was even more heartbreaking for the three sophomores on the team, Rachel, Morgan, and Melanie. They would not be able to finish out their final seasons as a Laker before graduating later this spring. Each student-athlete wrote a letter explaining the impact the FLCC softball has had on their lives. While things are uncertain right now, each of these student-athletes chose to look back on their careers in a positive and happy way.
I love this program so much. When I was recruited, it was the best thing to ever happen to me as a high school senior. I was so proud to represent the Lakers, and be a part of this team. Through my two years here, my teammates have become some of the best friends I’ve ever had, and I’m so thankful for all of them. I also want to thank my amazing coaching staff for everything they’ve done, and how they have always pushed me to be the best version of myself, on and off the field. My experience with Finger Lakes softball was truly amazing. Even though there were hard times, we still came out even stronger as a team. One of my favorite memories from my first year of playing was on every bus ride home, the whole team would sing together, and the coaches would join in, too. I wish I had my entire second year to make more memories, but I’m still thankful for the time I had. My favorite memory from my second year of playing, even though it’s sad, was the day we found out our spring training trip would be cancelled and that our season would most likely get cancelled as well. We all started that practice with tears in our eyes, but after the team bonding games that we went through, we all left laughing and with smiles on our faces. Thank you, Finger Lakes, for everything.
- #7 Rachel Graf
Rachel Graf is an outfielder from Walworth, NY. During the 2018-19 season, she was also a pitcher. The team was short pitchers, so Graf stepped up and trained hard to find herself on the mound in many games last season. Not only is Graf an excellent softball player, she is also a graphic design major with some serious talent. She went up against her peers in a competition designing wine labels for the viticulture program at FLCC last year, and she won!
My experience at FLCC has been truly wonderful. At first, I wasn’t going to play sports here, but then I signed up for a journey that I didn’t expect! I made so many friends and memories that I will never be able to forget. The coaches here are truly amazing, and I couldn’t ask for anyone better. I’m truly heartbroken that I won’t be able to play for them anymore. They have taught me so many things beyond the sport itself, and I’m sure I’ll make an appearance after this semester. I can’t pick out a favorite memory because I have way too many to just pick one. To the other sophomores who also had their spring season taken away from them, I know it’s heartbreaking after working so hard to get where we were. I wish you all good luck in the future. I hope you all cherished the time you had here, it’s too bad it ended faster than we thought. #LakerGang��
- #3 Morgan Hamer
Morgan Hamer is an infielder from Belfast, NY. Hamer was welcomed onto the 2018-19 team in February after the previous first baseman quit the team. She learned the position quickly and earned a starting spot. Coach Hoover called her a “defensive animal” at first base. Hamer is currently planning to move onto SUNY Cortland next year where she will work to continue playing both softball and soccer. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, she was a morning class instructor at the YMCA for children before school.
At first, I applied to FLCC as a “plan B” for the other colleges I applied to. After meeting faculty and students at FLCC, even though I had received an acceptance everywhere I applied, I decided to choose FLCC as my #1. The brand-new turf was absolutely beautiful and Coach Jerry was a riot. You could tell that every day, in season or not, he cared about what his players were going through, how they were doing in school, and he constantly had time for extra practice. I made an amazing group of friends my freshman year, and the laughter made me forget about every loss we had. College is where you can really make friends that last a lifetime. This year, I was incredibly excited to begin the season, because each player was working so hard in practices, extra sessions, and in school. We had a blast doing it. You could just tell that this season was going to shock the schools we had played in the past. Even though I never got the chance to wear my new #00 jersey on the field in my final year at FLCC, I know someone else will get the chance to in the future. I hope they play with heart every single game, because you never know when it could be your last game for Jerry, the girls, or FLCC. #LakersOnThree
- #00 Melanie Gleason
Melanie Gleason is an infielder from Penn Yan, NY. During the 2018-19 season, on April 23 Gleason hit two home runs, on the anniversary of when she hit two home runs in high school. It was a personal record. Gleason plans to move on to SUNY Fredonia next year where she will continue playing softball. One her of hobbies is powerlifting. She can deadlift 315 pounds!
