The Southeast Bulloch softball team is off to a solid start to the season.

The Yellow Jackets get into region play next month and head coach Matthew Meeks will be counting on players like Elaina Hagan to continue to step up and help the younger players get ready as they hope to make another state playoff run.

“Elaina is a rock-solid player,” Meeks said. “She’s the same every day as she shows up ready to work and puts the team first.

“She’s a gritty catcher who controls the game behind the plate and at bat. She is also a fantastic teammate who does a great job of leading by example for all who play the game.”

“As a senior, the obvious role I play is being a leader, but there are different ways of being a leader,” Hagan said. “I’m not the loudest on the team, and I’m not always the one to make decisions, but I always want to make sure everyone knows their worth. I want to make sure everyone knows that softball is a game, rather than who they are.

“We’ve all had our fair share of making mental errors, on and off the field. I try to remind them that failure is a part of the game and to never let it ruin their view of themselves. I think the team is doing an amazing job at working together and fighting adversity, as well as having great at bats.”