Sisters show their support on Rutland softball team

Breanca Davis and Abigail Johnson are seniors on the Rutland softball team. They are both thoroughly involved in school and their community.

But they share more than just extracurricular activities in common. Both Davis and Johnson have younger sisters on the softball team.

“Of course, at times it is tough coaching sisters,” Rutland head coach Amanda Maddox said, “but it’s a good experience, also.”

This is not Maddox’s first time working with sisters on the team. When Davis was a freshman, her older sister played softball for Rutland, as well as another set of twins.

Abigail and her younger sister, Rebecca, a sophomore, both pitch and “try to help each other out on that,” Maddox said. When they are not pitching, Abigail plays first and third base and Rebecca plays outfield.

“I know she’s always someone that can have my back,” Abigail said.

Breanca Davis plays center field, and freshman Breasia is a shortstop. For the Davis sisters, being teammates is practically second nature. In addition to softball, they both play basketball and run track and field.

Breanca pointed to a game against Tattnall Square an example of their connection.

“(Breanca) was running, and she dove for the ball, and then she threw it to me,” said Breasia, who threw the ball home and got the runner out. “Then she ran to me, and I ran to her and we jumped up (in celebration).”

For Abigail and Rebecca, playing on the same team brought them much closer on and off the field. Rebecca said that Abigail includes her in “a lot more” now. One of their traditions is watching “Big Brother” at a friend’s house.

Abigail missed last season after suffering a broken ankle, and Rebecca tried to keep her spirts up throughout all of the surgeries. At same time, Abigail supported Rebecca from the sidelines.

It was hard as a freshman, Rebecca said, because everything was new. But having the support system of her sister behind her made all the difference.

Both sets of sisters are very supportive and protective of each other, Maddox said, but Maddox also said, “They push each other.”

“Sometimes (sisters) are just the most adorable thing, but most of the time just annoying,” Breanca joked.

Abigail described her relationship with Rebecca as a “fun sister rivalry,” even at home. During a particularly difficult game Abigail cheered on her sister as she pitched.

“If I did something good on the mound, she’d like congratulate me,” Abigail said. “(Rebecca is) someone who I know will support me through everything and encourage me all the time.”

Both Breasia and Rebecca said they will be sad to see their sisters graduate and move on after high school. Breasia added that the team will have some big shoes to fill when Breanca leaves.

“It’ll still be fun,” Rebecca said. “I’ll miss her, though.”

Abigail, however, is looking forward to getting even closer with her sister next year “just because we won’t have that time together.”

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 7:57 PM with the headline "Sisters show their support on Rutland softball team ."