Rachel Thompson is proving to everyone around her thatit’s never to late to improve. After regrettablyhanging up her cleats in high school, Thompson foundthe courage to give the game she loved one more try.

” Quitting softball haunted me on a daily basis,” saidThompson. ” Life is too long to live with anyregrets.”

Raider softball head Coach Kelly Lovato opened thedoor of opportunity, calling Thompson three weeksbefore the season started to fill a bench role.Thompson made the team, allowing her to become part ofa hard working program determined to redeem themselvesafter a troubled season last year. Ever since,Thompson has taken advantage of the opportunity andhasn’t let go.

Thompson’s role on the team at the beginning of theseason was to be the back up catcher and pinch hitwhen needed. Right away, Thompson impressed hercoaches and earned the respect of her teammates.Injuries have sidelined a couple of key players forthe Raiders and Thompson continued to take advantageof the opportunity.

With the help and motivation of the Moorpark coachingstaff, Thompson feels like she is finally in hergroove and is enjoying every minute of it. Thompsonhad never thought she would be playing softball atthis level after getting the short end of the stick atThousand Oaks High School, where she saw limitedaction.

Now with the Raiders, Thompson is hitting well over.300 and leading the team in doubles and homeruns.Thompson has proven to be a valuable asset for theRaiders this season.

Thompson also participates in the community in herspare time, coaching her sister’s softball team aswell as being a private hitting instructor for youngathletes.

If you are looking for a role model to look up to,there is no better than Thompson. Thompson works hardat whatever she does and, most importantly, does itwith a smile.