The 2020 Wagoner softball seniors are from left, Maddie Baker, Kaci Murray, Lexi Miller, Kammi Chandler, Chloe Schilling and Caitlyn Henson. JOHN FERGUSON/AMERICAN-TRIBUNE

There were plenty of laughs and smiles during Senior Day actvities on Saturday morning at the Bulldog softball diamond. Having a good time from left are: Ally Giddens, Caitlyn Henson, Kaci Murry and Lexi Miller. JOHN FERGUSON/AMERICAN-TRIBUNE

The Senior Day for the Lady Bulldog softball team also had some tears as realizing the end of seeing teammates is coming soon. From left, Kammi Chandler hugs a teammate while Chloe Schilling fights the emotion of the moment. JOHN FERGUSON/AMERICAN-TRIBUNE

For six Wagoner softball seniors, they feel lucky to be playing at all this season.

With what seems like only a thread of hope keeping the season going during the COVID-19 pandemic, these Lady Bulldogs were honored in an earlier than normal Senior Day on Saturday, Aug. 29.

Wagoner celebrated the occasion with a 7-5 win over Chouteau to cap it all off.

“It’s an honor to celebrate this with COVID (around),” said senior third baseman Kaci Murray. “We’re lucky to have the season this year.”

Murray was joined in the senior festivities by Maddie Baker, Kammi Chandler, Chloe Schilling, Caitlyn Henson and Lexi Miller.

Chandler cried in September 2019 when she realized she’d be a softball season and did the same on Senior Day.

“I’m still emotional,” Chandler said. “I have great teammates and a great family. I’m ending this chapter and it’s hard to say good-bye to the old chapter.”

Henson was glad the season was not cancelled like the spring sports a few months earlier. Henson had a chance to be on a State championship contending girls golf team, but pandemic shut it all down.

“I’m very happy we got to have this season,” Henson said. “The coaches and my teammates worked real hard (to be able to play).”

Baker feels the day was bittersweet.

“It’s good, but sad,” said Baker, who has played softball for 10 years. “After high school, I’m done. I will study to be a nurse practitioner.”

Miller made history when she won an individual State championship crown for girls wrestling last spring. She had taken the year off to focus on wrestling, but is no stranger to softball.