After a long New England winter, the first real moments of spring don’t always arrive with a game. They begin with a feeling. Warm air and open fields. The simple rhythm of practice, repetition, and rediscovery. For Pomfret’s baseball and girls lacrosse teams, that feeling took shape far from campus this March, as both programs headed south for preseason trips built around growth, connection, and the chance to simply get back on the field.

In Orlando, girls lacrosse found their stride at the HoganLax Spring Training event. What began with travel delays and a missed first day, quickly turned into something meaningful. “Honestly, it was the best trip I’ve been on in my time at Pomfret,” said Head Coach Dr. Alyssa Walker. “The team’s energy and focus made every practice and scrimmage valuable.”

Freed from the usual logistics of organizing fields, equipment, and schedules, Walker and Assistant Coach Jon Sheehan were able to focus on what mattered most: coaching. The structure of the event created a rare kind of clarity. “We just showed up and got to coach,” Walker said. “It was just so focused and intentional. We could be fully present with the team and make the most of every moment.”

That focus carried over to the team. With a young roster buoyed by a particularly athletic and enthusiastic freshman class, the Griffins embraced the chance to dive into competition. Over a tightly packed few days, they drilled, adjusted, and evolved.

The results weren’t measured solely on the scoreboard. A one-goal loss in the opening scrimmage gave way to something more promising: a sharper, more cohesive performance against a stronger opponent the next day. “You could see the wheels turning,” Walker said. “They were taking what we worked on and actually applying it in real time.”

That kind of growth didn’t happen by accident. It came from long days that included multiple two-hour practices, competitive scrimmages, and constant feedback. All balanced with moments of connection, from team meals to poolside downtime, and even a lacrosse-themed bingo night that left the team exhausted and laughing. The rhythm they found in Orlando showed up in the confidence they brought back to Pomfret's turf fields.

Further south along Florida’s coast, Pomfret Baseball was carving out its own version of spring. In Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce, Head Coach Colin Shapiro and Assistant Coach Billy Harrington led the Griffins through a week of practices and games against a slate of New England opponents. “After months indoors, it was great to get the team out there,” said Shapiro. “From the first time we stepped onto a field to our last game, there was definitely growth. That’s just what happens when you get the reps.”

The trip brought together a group still finding its footing. For some, it had been years since they last played competitive baseball. What followed was exactly what spring training is meant to be: repetition, adjustment, and steady progress. “It was a great experience overall,” says pitcher and catcher Alex Trapani ‘26. “Getting so many reps every day was huge, but what really mattered was coming together as a team. Being out there day after day really helped us start to click.” 

For both teams, these trips were more than just an escape from winter. They were about stepping into the season with intention. About trading uncertainty for repetition, and early rust for real progress. In the Florida sun, Pomfret’s spring teams didn’t just prepare for the season ahead, they took a real first step into it. 

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