South Lamar's Softball Team has been through a lot in the last few years. They've been agonizingly close to a State Championship in the last three finishing as runner-up twice. This year the team hopes to breakthrough with a title, and they're working with additional inspiration.

"She's responded great the team has rallied around her and the team has said they want to win this for Lauren" said Head Coach Tony Seals.

Lauren Crimm, the girl Coach Seals referred to, was recently burned in a kitchen fire and has since been released from the hospital. Although the team will miss her production, she was the leading home run hitter before the incident, they miss her company more.

"It's amazing how we've come together as a family to pull through for Lauren so she can go through what she has to go through" said Junior Center Fielder and Lauren's best friend Jessica Wheat.

Wheat and the Lady Stallions will open up State Tournament play in Montgomery on Thursday against Kinston. Her and her teammates will be looking for their first State Championship, but they'll be thinking about their teammate.

Wheat added, "It's touched my heart in a way I can't say with her not being on the field it's different. I just miss her. She's the strongest person I've ever met in my life."