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Alani Hyatt plays what’s considered the “talent spot” on the Washington High School softball team.

Shortstop is usually where one of the best athletes on the team plays. While the pitcher is the key position to every team’s success, the player at shortstop is a leader on the field and at the plate.

Hyatt is one of five seniors on the Pam Pack, which are currently second in the Eastern Plains Conference with two games against Ayden-Grifton left in the regular season. We talk to her about being a senior, a leader and her expectations for the rest of the season.

1. Tell me a little bit about, first off, the tournament, how things performed. You played a pretty tough East Wilkes team. They won the 1A state title last year. Camden County was a team you could face in the state playoffs. Can you measure those two performances and how you felt like the team did?

“Yes, East Wilkes, we did struggle a little bit. They did have a few really good hits, like right up the middle, kind of like no man’s land, and our bats weren’t there. You know, when we don’t hit, we kind of depend on (senior pitcher) Emma (Orr), and you can’t do that to a pitcher.

“She pitches so much and already has injuries. You know, we have to play as a team. This game (against Camden), though, we came through.

“We talked before the game about how we were going to all come together and hit the ball. We stayed up, and we had a positive attitude all morning. So us hitting the ball is really what saves us and gives us room for errors. I just think that this game, we came and we hit the ball, and we had a more positive attitude.”

2. Emma does so much to pitch the ball, and she makes the job a little bit easier, but obviously, you guys came back and hit here, so maybe that’s a good sign going to the rest of the regular season.

“Yes, it is. And our defense has to back up Emma. You know, this game, we really did do that. You know, we had a great play. Our freshman at second base, she came in to fill in for one of our seniors lying out. That’s, like, amazing to see is just effort.

“We really see an effort behind Emma while she’s, you know, she’s still struggling a little bit with her injuries and stuff. So I think that was some of our crucial.”

3. You had a little injury of sorts yourself with your nose, which was bleeding. What happened?

“Yes, I have nose bleeds every day. Yeah, I was just in the hospital for it. It’s been happening every game. It happens multiple times a day. I don’t know what’s going on. Yes, but I’ve put nose plugs in the back of my back pocket, so I can still play and change them out.

“I know it sounds nasty, but I do do it. I don’t want (Washington head coach) Brad (Horton) to take me out.”

4. Being a senior, tell me a little bit about the team here as far as going forward, because like I said, you’ve got a week of the regular season and you go into the state playoffs. You’ve got to try to catch up with Farmville Central (one game back in the standings) and try to get that first spot. So, how do you feel the team can do as far as the rest of the regular season is concerned?

“I think going off of this game, we’re going to do really well going into the next part. We did have a tough, you know, we have had a tough season with conference. That did have us down. I think that was part of some of the East Wilkes game, too. You know, we lost the conference game (to SouthWest Edgecombe), and we don’t really ever do that, you know.

“At Washington, we just have a really high standard built for us, so losing just, we don’t do it. So, yeah, I think we have a really good, like, positive outlook on the next couple of games, and, you know, we’re going to try our absolute best to win the conference, if we can.”

5. Each game is precious, I guess, in a sense, and you want to obviously continue to play well, hit the ball well, and stuff like that. From your perspective, what do you feel like you want to do, or you feel like you need to do to kind of make that contribution and help the team out?

“Yes, as a senior, I’ve tried to just, I’ve tried to be, like, a positive, or a good leader, even, not even just with my plays. I always try to go all out for every play, and try to talk up in the field. I try to tell people scenarios throughout the games and stuff, and this is precious time.

“I’m counting down my last at-bats, and I don’t think I’m going to play in college, so that’s really sad. I’m just trying to take advantage of everything I can, and I tell all the little girls on our team that they need to take advantage of it, because it comes really quick. Make all the outstanding plays you can while you’re here, and take advantage of it.”