Galesburg High Softball Players Share Insights

Profiles of 11 Streaks softball players reveal their sports heroes, walk-up songs, dream game finishes, and thoughts on new coach Andrea Sampson.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:01pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a softball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conveying the dynamic nature of the sport and the unique perspectives of the players.The Galesburg High School softball team's diverse personalities and passions are reflected in a cubist-inspired illustration capturing the energy and movement of the game.Galesburg Today

Evan Massey profiles 11 Galesburg High School softball players, asking them about their sports heroes, walk-up songs, dream game finishes, and other fun facts. The players also share three words to describe their new head coach, Andrea Sampson, who has brought energy and enthusiasm to the program.

Why it matters

This story provides an inside look at the Galesburg High School softball team, highlighting the personalities and interests of the players. It gives readers a chance to get to know the team beyond just their on-field performance, fostering a stronger connection between the community and the student-athletes.

The details

The article features 11 Galesburg High School softball players, including freshmen, juniors, and seniors. Each player is asked a series of questions, such as who their sports hero is, what their walk-up song is, how they would dream to finish a game, and what three words they would use to describe their new head coach Andrea Sampson. The responses reveal the diverse interests and backgrounds of the players, from wanting to try sports like football and lacrosse to having family members as their sports heroes.

  • The Galesburg softball team is off to a nice start to their season.

The players

Mavery Bland

Freshman, Third Base

Evelin Guel

Junior, Shortstop

Addy Painter

Junior, Third Base

Abigail Casey

Junior, Center Field/First Base

Hannah Barton

Senior, Catcher/Utility

Avayah Bridgewater

Junior, First Base/Pitcher

Mary Moore

Senior, Utility

Skylar Webb

Junior, Second Base/Utility

Deonna Stevens

Junior, Pitcher/Utility

Addison Stanley

Junior, First Base

Justina Mims

Sophomore, Outfield/Catcher

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What they’re saying

“'Next play mentality.'”

— Mavery Bland, Freshman, Third Base

“'Talent is nothing without dedication.' This quote has impacted me to prove how what you work on is going to show in the future but you start with the dedication to become better.”

— Evelin Guel, Junior, Shortstop

“'It's not who you are, it's just something you do.' While softball has always been a huge part of my life, remembering this has helped me move on from errors and tough games. It has made me mentally stronger and allowed me to enjoy the sport more, instead of letting mistakes define me.”

— Hannah Barton, Senior, Catcher/Utility

“'Control the controllable.'”

— Avayah Bridgewater, Junior, First Base/Pitcher

“'If you play free, mistakes are less likely to happen.'”

— Mary Moore, Senior, Utility

The takeaway

This story provides an engaging and personal look at the Galesburg High School softball team, highlighting the diverse interests, personalities, and perspectives of the players. It showcases the energy and enthusiasm that new head coach Andrea Sampson has brought to the program, which the players clearly appreciate. By sharing the players' sports heroes, dream game finishes, and thoughts on their coach, the story helps build a stronger connection between the team and the local community.