VIENNA — The Vienna Lady Eagles boarded the bus early on Oct. 15 with snacks, karaoke and a loud determination that could be felt even through the laughter. They were headed to South Callaway for the first round of districts, a long hour-and-a-half ride that marked the beginning of the end for their 2025 season.

For some, it was a final game in black and gold. For others, it was the start of something new. But for all of them, it was a reminder of what it means to fight together, even when the odds aren’t in your favor.

Vienna’s season had been steady, defined by chemistry and hustle, but the final stretch threw them a curveball that had a little too much break on it. In early October, sophomore pitcher Delaney Schwartze suffered a painful injury, breaking two bones in her plant foot (left). It was the kind of injury that for some, ends a season, yet somehow, she wasn’t ready to hang up her cleats just yet.

She sat out the week before districts, resting while her teammate and fellow pitcher Liberty Rowden carried the load. Rowden, who’s been a consistent force in the circle all year with only one “off game”, pitched Vienna into contention and gave Schwartze time to heal, or at least enough to try.

When Schwartze stepped onto the mound at South Callaway, there was a sense of quiet respect from the dugout. Her foot was wrapped, her motion slightly altered but her confidence was the same. The velocity wasn’t at full power, but her control was sharp. Instead of relying solely on speed, she leaned into her off-speed pitches, using her changeup to throw off Fatima’s rhythm. The adjustment paid off, 18 outs, four strikeouts, and only two earned runs. Her foot was compression wrapped before the game.

“I took a bunch of ibuprofen, so I’m not really feeling anything right now,” Schwartze said before the game.

Fatima held off Vienna in the bottom of the seventh to edge the win 3–2, but the game’s story was written in effort, not errors or strikeouts. Senior captain Aubrey Schwartze made a diving catch in the outfield that saved three runs late in the game, the kind of play that reminds you why she is one of the captains. Then, in the bottom of the seventh, she came within a few feet of a storybook finish. With the bases loaded and two outs, she drove a ball to deep rightfield, the kind of contact that makes the whole crowd stand up. It smacked the outfielder’s glove so hard it popped out, which had to have an exit velocity of over 60 MPH.

Next to bat was other co-captain Aubrey Rehmert who grounded out to short. That final swing marked the end of the Lady Eagles’ postseason hopes, but the season also revealed a team on the rise. Junior Ella Hollis collected a hit, while teammates Kenna Roberds and Delaney Schwartze each drove in a run. It was a collective fight, even in defeat.

As the Lady Eagles took a few last photos together, thoughts quickly turned toward the future. Hollis, expected to step into leadership roles next year as a co-captain, standout freshman Alexis Curtis and a solid two pitcher rotation with Schwartze and Rowden, are all filling the shoes of seniors Aubrey Schwartze and Aubrey Rehmert. Most of the team is already gearing up for travel ball in the offseason, eager to sharpen their bats and build momentum for next spring.

For Vienna, the pieces are in place. Rowden and Schwartze, one freshman and one sophomore, form one of the strongest one-two pitching duos the program has seen in recent years. Each brings a different style, Rowden’s power and consistency pairing perfectly with Schwartze’s movement and precision. Together, they are expected to be a force next season.

For now, per The Advocate knowledge, senior Aubrey Rehmert stands as the only Lady Eagle known to have received a college offer to continue playing softball. More information on her offer and plans for the future will be shared in an upcoming edition of The Advocate, along with any other future plans. Senior Aubrey Schwartze is expecting and hoping for a basketball offer later in 2026, according to Schwartze.

When the bus finally pulled away from the South Callaway field that night, there was no music this time, just quiet reflection. The seniors leaned their heads against the windows, taking in one last ride home, while the underclassmen thought about what comes next.

The scoreboard said loss, but the story didn’t. It was one of growth, resilience and the kind of team that doesn’t let circumstance define them.

For the Lady Eagles, this ending felt less like goodbye, and more like the beginning of something worth waiting for. Coached by Jess Gibbs, the team looks to use the offseason to train and hone their skills for next season.