Led by the state's best player, Matoaca softball's success starts with community

Moments after wrapping up a 10-0, five-inning victory over Prince George on Friday night, defending Gatorade State Softball Player of The Year Kaylee Hodges quietly packed her equipment, and followed head coach Scott Driskill’s final order of the evening.

She headed for home. The junior, who has committed to the University of Tennessee, unbeknownst to most, was battling the Royals while not feeling well. 

The box score certainly didn’t think anything was wrong.

Hodges struck out 12 batters, including seven straight, roped a line-drive home run that just cleared the center field fence, and doubled, helping Matoaca improve to 14-1 on the season and stay atop a tight race for the top of the Class 5, Region C standings with less than two weeks to go in the regular season.

Friday’s win, though, presented far more than another sterling performance from Hodges. It was, yes, a team effort, but, watching the Warriors communicate, execute, and interact, it would better be described as a family affair.

Matoaca High School is different from its counterparts in Chesterfield County. Surrounded by countryside, the Warriors haven’t been invaded as much by suburbia. Its community is well-established, with little interruption. And, in an age where even high school athletes are proudly announcing their moves to other schools, seeking whatever may come from it, these Warriors are basking in the glow of community and continuity.

It begins at the top.

Driskill arrived at Matoaca High School as a student, then played football and studied at James Madison before returning to his alma mater to teach in 1991. He coached football for over two decades, and now continues a love affair with softball that has transcended scores of graduating classes.

Now, after a gut wrenching loss to eventual Class 5 state champion Midlothian in last year’s region semifinals, the Warriors seek to take the final steps to capture a title of their own.

It begins with experience. Hayden Longacre, one of six seniors and Matoaca’s four-year starting catcher, has learned how to navigate her high school career and find balance.

“There’s been so much work that’s gone into the past five years so, now, I’m able to have so much fun with it,” Longacre said, chronicling a journey that began for her in 8th grade at the junior-varsity level. “If I don’t make super-high expectations, it’s okay, because I’m doing what I love and I’m trying to make the most of my last season.”

The catcher also has Driskill as her government teacher, a fact that he’ll use, in good jest, from time to time on the field.

“Sometimes if I mess up in a game I’m a little scared to go into government the next day,” a smiling Longacre cracked. 

“He’ll make jokes that he’s going to take points off her grades,” added freshman Tori Ankiel.

Ankiel represents both the present and future of the Warriors. The lone freshman on the squad, Ankiel occupies the lone roster spot opened via graduation a year ago, and possesses an arm that would easily make her a starting pitcher at some other schools. 

But she’s thrilled with where she is now, and what lies ahead.

“At first it was very intimidating, very scary because there’s so many good athletes, and like I’m the only freshman, so I had to find that place for myself,” Ankiel explained. “After a while, I started to settle in, get closer to the girls and know that I’m here for a reason.”

Longacre, who hopes to play club softball when she attends the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) majoring in business, hinted at appointments to come back home to, one day, watch Ankiel in the circle, surprising the freshman by admitting she was surprised by how much spark she showed the first time Longacre caught her.

With commencement set for May 18, there’s admittedly a lot going through the minds of Longacre and the other seniors. But there’s plenty of room to think about what it will take for Matoaca to be playing for a state championship on June 12 and 13 in Northern Virginia.

“Really just relaxing, trusting one another, and working hard like we always do,” Longacre opined. “We work so hard in practice so that when we get on the field during games we just don’t think about it. We trust in each other and believe in each other and step up, even when we’re not doing the best ourselves, our teammates will encourage us.”

For her part, Ankiel, whose frame makes you think she’s a senior as well, is ready to do her part, no matter where it is on the diamond.

“If I am placed (in the circle) in one of those situations, to stay confident and know that I can do it,” Ankiel noted.

And, even if she doesn’t throw a pitch, her field defense and prowess at the plate will certainly play a critical role down the stretch.

To look back, Friday’s win was, indeed, a microcosm of where Matoaca softball is now. The Warriors are blessed with perhaps the game’s most all-around player in Hodges, who can make a difference even when she doesn’t feel 100%, a highly-experienced field general in Longacre, and a talented newbie in Ankiel who contributes while taking this first varsity experience all in.

Add to that junior outfielder Kaylee Millner, whose first inning double cleared the bases to finish off a four-run frame, second baseman Raven Crabtree and shortstop Abby Davis, who each had two hits and sealed the heart of the Warrior defense, and others, and Matoaca has the makings of something special.

But with two defending state champions in their region in Midlothian and Glen Allen, a Deep Run team at 13-3 and Franklin County, currently 15-2, it will take everything and everyone to reach the mountaintop.

First, however, before hosting the aforementioned Jaguars Monday evening, some rest and Vitamin C are in order. For everyone.