It hasn't all been about softball for Eastview this spring. The search for missing person Mandy Matula has hit home.
Matula graduated from Eden Prairie High School and played softball for Minnesota Duluth with Lightning assistant coach Ashley Johnson. Matula was reported missing the morning of May 2. Police and the public began searching for her that afternoon.
Lightning softball players, parents and coaches aided in the search three days later.
"It's really an eye-opening experience for all of us," coach Trevor Monroe said. "As a coaching staff, we talk about keeping things in perspective. We definitely are doing so at the moment."
In addition, freshman infielder Jamie Reynolds's older sister, Jess, has had four liver transplants and is fighting for her life. Teammates, family and friends are rallying around them.
"It's not about softball,'' Monroe said he's told his team, ''but about becoming better, stronger people."
On the field, the Lightning's players have managed to play quality softball. They began the season with five consecutive victories before running into more weather road bumps, which hindered some momentum.
Junior captain McKenzie Hanegraaf and sophomore Kerrigan Hoshaw have split most of the innings and have pitching well. Hanegraaf has been a nice surprise. She is only a few months removed from back surgery and did not play last season.
