I feel like I can be myself around my team when I’m doing something that I love”

Senior Hope Hager

TORRINGTON – Before her eighth-grade year, Torrington High School senior Hope Hager described herself as quiet and shy – a “super introverted” individual.

Hager’s best friend in middle school told her about the Torrington Thunder girls’ softball program one fateful day in eighth grade.

“The (Thunder) weren’t going to have a team that summer unless they recruited some more kids,” Hager recalled. “She convinced me – actually peer pressured me – into playing for the team. I gave in but had the greatest year.

Softball clicked instantly with Hager.

“I felt comfortable with all the players and coaches,” Hager added. “Everyone was just so fun and encouraging.”

Hager remained with the Torrington Thunder through high school. The outfielder also played for the Torrington High School Lady Blazers softball team for their inaugural season in 2024 and Torrington’s first varsity run this spring. Hager played for Cheyenne South as well before Torrington developed a girls’ softball program.

Hager never looked back from that eighth-grade year with the Thunder and now describes herself as “one of the loudest” players on both the Thunder and Lady Blazers starting lineups.

“I feel like I can be myself around my team when I’m doing something that I love,” Hager said.

Hager will get the opportunity to continue her softball career when she signed to play for Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska, at a ceremony with teammates, friends, coaches and family on May 1.

“I’m excited to play with people who are as experienced as I am or better than I am,” Hager said. “I hope I can build myself up to be better than I am now. I’m excited to play at a more competitive level at college.”

Hager decided she wanted to play softball at college two years ago, but the recruitment process proved a bit frustrating at first. Hager kept at it and stumbled upon Mid-Plains during a random search on the internet.

Hager filled out a survey and within 24 hours, the college contacted her. Two weeks later, Mid-Plains’ softball coach invited Hager to visit the campus and made an offer within weeks. The responsiveness and attention Mid-Plains college extended to Hager played a significant role in her choice to attend the school in North Platte. The college also has an environmental science department – a field Hager is interested in pursuing as either a conservationist or teacher.

When Hager was a freshman and sophomore, the Torrington Thunder battled back after a rocky start to Hager’s first season in true underdog fashion to bag the state title two years in a row.

“During the first year of Thunder for me, we did really badly the whole season and were not expected to win anything at state,” Hager remembered. “We turned around and won state that year and won the next year. That was a turning point for Torrington Thunder.”

The key to the Thunder’s successful runs lay in the team coming together as a family.

“We weren’t playing as a team during that first season,” Hager said. “All of a sudden, we got to state and everyone was playing their role and being very encouraging to everyone else. It fell together perfectly. We’ve been a family ever since.”

Supportive coaches also made a difference in Hager’s career.

“It’s nice when you have a really encouraging set of coaches who build you up as a better person and player,” Hager added.

With years of experience under her belt, Hager took on a leadership role for the Lady Blazers in 2024 and 2025 as one of the team’s captains. The senior took the new, younger outfielders under her wing.

“I love teaching softball,” Hager noted.

Hager enjoyed playing for the Lady Blazers as the team works to find its footing as a new program.

“We only had a JV team last year, but it definitely built up everyone’s skills and encouraged other kids to join softball,” Hager said. “Now that we have a varsity and JV team, we have a lot of competition on the team. I’m excited to see how they continue to get better throughout the years.”

In addition to playing softball during the spring and summer months and practicing during the offseason, Hager is a member of FFA and the National Honor Society.

Hager expressed deep gratitude to her coaches – particularly Robin Schainost, Luke Audette, Jade Reinhardt and Travis Reinhardt – along with her parents and grandparents.