The Roanoke Rapids High School softball field was full of hugs, laughter, smiles, crying, memories remembered and even new ones made Saturday night.

The Roanoke Rapids High school Yellow Jacket softball team along with RRspin.com / TD Sports sponsored the 1st annual Roanoke Rapids Alumni slow-pitch softball fundraiser game. Twenty-four girls returned to the field to be coached once again by retired softball coach Carleen Goodwin and coach Lynn Little.

Coach Goodwin who retired back in 2013 was like a kid in a candy shop Saturday night as the old players showed up at the field. A smile and hugs greeted each one of them, wether it was the 1997, the largest senior team she coached or the sole 2007 player. Coach even pulled out her own scrap-book laughing and pointing out players on old newsparer clippings. Coach Goodwin would ask each player,"Are you married, where do you live, do you have any children, what have you been doing since?"

Weeks of planning lead up to this reunion game and many volunteers giving their free time. Myself (Randy Wrenn), RRHS Softball coach Steve Milligan and Assistant softball coach Lynn Little met several times to plan this event. Coach Goodwin was brought in when the girls where drawn to split the teams. Coach Goodwin and former Assistant coach Jimmy Evans would coach one team, while coach Little and coach Milligan would coach the other team.

Patty Little along with Tammy Colston, Sue Evans, Stephanie Williams handled the gate, raffle, jersey sales and concessions along with many of the 2015 RRHS softball players. Lynn Medlin donated his time to umpire the game.

Aubrie Bollinger and Aledra Humphries, both of Charlotte recieved a special gift and signed softball from coach Goodwin for traveling back the furthest. There was a furthest hit 60 mph pitch contest at intermission that was won by Thommas Barret and second place by DJ Humpries. Also there was a kids furthest hit whiffle ball contest with three winners.

After four innings of play, coaches were switched to let everyone reunite with each coach.

Then after the intermission, hiting contest and raffles, only one inning of play was finished before the lightning and weather ended the night on the field.

Coach Milligan stated, "This event was an huge sucess and I could hear the ladies talking about next year already."

Everyone's thoughts and prayers were on Natalie Robertson who was injured by a fly ball in the bottom of the 1st inning. All reports are she is doing well after being stitched up at HRMC.

Game photos can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10153398245960519.1073742320.131841195518&type=3&uploaded=92