After a postgame speech to a bunch of tearful players Saturday night, Petrolia softball coach Eric Simmons spent the next few minutes embracing his girls individually.
It was almost as if Simmons was saying goodbye to more than just his seniors. In fact, he was.
Simmons announced on Twitter early Saturday morning that he’d be taking the head softball coaching job at Haskell, ending a 13-year stay at Petrolia.
Simmons has been a softball coach for the Lady Pirates the past six years, taking over for DeDe Gray in 2015 after two years as her assistant. The seniors that led the rally in Saturday’s 21-17 loss to Albany were freshmen when he first led the program.
“I love all my athletes with all my heart and will miss them dearly,” Simmons tweeted. “Thank you for the years of success and lots of memories that I’ll never forget.”
Simmons’ Lady Pirates had a 102-34-2 record during his tenure, advancing to the regional finals each of the past two seasons before being swept by Archer City and now Albany.
Ironically, Petrolia eliminated Haskell 6-1 in a one-game matchup in this year’s bi-district round.