The softball team arrived at Derby High at 1:45 p.m. on March 27, ready to finish out an early-season tournament at Valley Center.

The team had no idea what the day ahead would bring. 

The Panthers’ doubleheader was scheduled to start at 4 p.m., but when they arrived at the field around 2:30 p.m. for warmups, the 10 a.m. games were still ongoing. 

“I think when finding out the games were that late and behind, I just automatically grew tired of thinking about the wait,” junior Ava Sadler said. 

The team waited 3½ hours to play their first game.

Since there was nothing to do, some of the girls played some hacky sack.

The Panthers lost 3-2 to Valley Center in eight innings.

The games finally came to an end close to midnight. 

Many of the players didn’t get home until nearly 1 a.m.