Tango sets new hits record for Garaway softball

Coming into the Garaway Pirates softball game versus West Holmes Saturday, May 9 in Sugarcreek, sophomore shortstop True Tango knew two things to be true: She needed one hit to become the program’s all-time single-season hits leader, and she needed one triple to also secure that record.

After struggling to notch either record in her first three at-bats, Tango came through with a big knock in the bottom of the sixth inning, crushing a line-drive over the center field wall to claim the seasonal hits record, but in mashing a home run, she also went one base too far to grab the second, something she will have to wait to achieve perhaps until later this season.

Did the idea of purposely missing home plate ever enter her mind so she also would snag the triples crown?

“Nope, never entered my mind,” Tango said.

Regardless, the hit parade this season for Tango has been an amazing accomplishment, and her home run also was her 11th of the campaign, as she inches closer to the program’s season-best 16 home run total.

Gaining sole possession of the hits record was something that was on Tango’s mind throughout the contest, where she admittedly had a few feeble at-bats as she was pressing to secure the hit that would allow her to stand alone at the top of the record book.

“There was a lot of pressure on me for sure that I put on myself, but first was winning the game, and I knew my teammates would have my back,” Tango said. “Even if I popped out every at-bat or hit a home run, everyone had my back and was pulling for me because everyone knew.”

On Garaway’s final home game of the regular season, head coach Dennis Koshmider said the entire team was pulling for Tango to get the job done in this game. They all realized the pressure she was putting on herself, and prior to Tango’s final at-bat, he calmly walked down the third base line from his coaching box and put his arm around Tango in the on-deck circle and dispensed some words of wisdom.

“He just said, ‘You’re not swinging freely like you usually do. Stop reaching for that outside stuff and let it come to you. When it happens, it happens.’ That kind of helped me relax a little bit and took some of the pressure off,” Tango said.

It worked, and Tango smoked a line shot over the wall. Her expression of half joy, half relief could be seen on her grin as she circled the bases, hands raised as her teammates waited to mob her at home plate.

Her 52nd hit of the season is a massive total, and it is likely to only grow from there as she enters tournament season.

“I never imagined anything like this when the season began because I started the season kind of slow,” Tango said. “I just kind of gained momentum as the season went along. I’m glad it’s finally behind me and I can just go back to focusing on helping us win games.”

Coming off a freshman campaign in which the Lady Pirates sailed all the way to a Division VI state runner-up last season and with everyone back from that team, Tango said now is the time to become hyper-focused because they all know everyone will be looking to knock them off.

“We know what is possible, and everyone is playing their best softball right now, and it’s given us some real momentum,” Tango said. “It’s been exciting for sure.”

Asked whether she would prefer a state title or the hits record, Tango said, “Why not both?”

Why not, indeed.