The outbreak of COVID-19 has put a halt on just about everyone’s life as they know it. It's no different for the Westwood junior varsity softball team.

After just two regular-season games, the Warriors' season was suspended by the AIA as concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus increased with numerous cases popping up stateside. 

Furthermore, the entirety of Westwood’s academic curriculum has fully shifted online for the time being. 

The future of the season remains unclear, however signs point to all of Westwood’s sports eventually being canceled for at least the rest of the spring semester. 

Westwood head coach Nelsene Alford echoed that sense of uncertainty. 

“They haven’t given us any definitive timeline,” Alford said. “They just said no practices, no games until we are back at school. So I’m not sure if they’ll actually continue with the season at that point.”

The Warriors fell in blowout fashion to Valley Vista in their first game and then suffered a similar result against Kofa in what now looks like the conclusion of their short-lived season.

In the meantime, Alford plans to keep her team active with a series of different virtual softball workouts and drills.

“I plan to use Zoom,” said Alford, who doubles as a science teacher at the school. “I will screen record it and send it to those who are not available at the time we do workouts.”

With the encouragement of social distancing, it will be challenging for the Warriors to remain in peak softball shape. 

“I have been going to the park a little bit to practice,” sophomore shortstop Jocelyn Lujan said. “But I have been mainly staying inside.”

In addition to missing the sport itself, team members also miss the camaraderie that comes with practicing, playing and just hanging out on a near-daily basis. 

“I enjoyed going to practice and bonding with my teammates,” sophomore third baseman Lanessa Uribe said. “I will miss the competition of the game.”

Lujan echoed her teammate’s thoughts.

“I will miss going to practices and making memories together,” Lujan said. “Also how we never gave up on each other during games.”

The Warriors should soon find out the future of their short-lived decision, as the AIA will likely make a decision in the coming weeks regarding the cancellation of future games.