How does a team with high expectations respond to losing the best pitcher in the state to a serious injury right before the season starts?

Find out this week on The Final Score podcast when ace pitcher Taylor Smith and coach Jess Valentine join host Greg Swatek to talk about how the team has held up so well in the face of a lot of adversity.

Smith, a University of Virginia bound pitching recruit, talks about how she tore the ACL in her right knee near the end of basketball season and the immediate thoughts that went through her mind, knowing that her softball season could be in jeopardy. She talks about the rehab process, the support she has received from her family, friends and teammates and what she has learned by just watching and not being able to move as freely as normal.

Meanwhile, Valentine addresses what went through her mind as she watched Smith go down, as well as why the team has been able to hold it together so well in Smith absence on the field. Catoctin improved to 13-3 overall this week and is hitting the ball as well as any team in the county. What is Valentine the most proud of about her team?

Prior to that conversation, FNP sports writer Alexander Dacy joins Greg to talk about spring sports happenings around Frederick County, including impressive wins for Brunswick baseball, Middletown baseball and Urbana boys lacrosse.

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