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Chloe Temples 2019

Softball Athletic Communications

Chloe Temples Ready to Get to Work

Hatters Begin Fall Ball on Sunday

Chloe Temples was really looking forward to her senior season at Marianna High School.  The left-handed pitcher felt she and her team were poised to have a great season and potentially earn the school's first-ever berth in the state championship.
 
But in early October, 2018, Hurricane Michael and its Category 5 winds ripped through the Florida panhandle and left much of the town of Marianna in tatters.
 
"I remember it took a full day just to saw through all the trees to get out of our neighborhood," Temples said.  "Eventually we were able to go out and see everything.  We saw buildings that were completely knocked down. It was shocking."
 
Temples then went over to her high school to check out the softball field.  What she saw there made her heart sink.
 
"A large chunk of the concrete backstop had been taken out by the storm, and all of our outfield fence was blown over.  The scoreboard was down, too, and stands looked like someone had twisted them in opposite directions.  I was sure there was no way I was going to play my senior season there."
 
For the next few months, the team practiced in their batting cages - which were fortunately still standing - and in an adjacent open field.  At the same time, the community came out to help start putting the softball field back together.
 
"A lot of parents and grandparents took the reins and a lot of the people in the community that have really grown to love softball who have helped sponsor us throughout the year, they all volunteered to come out and help," Temples said.

The team received further support when nearby Chipola College offered the use of their field as a temporary home for the Bulldogs at the start of the season.  When reconstruction of the backstop at Marianna was completed, the whole team went to work on painting the concrete.  In late March, the field was ready to be reopened. 
 
"It was very exciting to finally be able to play at home," Temples said.  "It wasn't 100% back, but we just kind of played with what we had. We had one set of bleachers on one side.  We didn't have a scoreboard, but we had a new backstop. It was a huge team effort to be able to get us back to where we could play."
 
Meanwhile, Marianna was tearing it up on the field, losing just once throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.  After winning the district championship, the Bulldogs defeated Baker County 2-0 to win the regional championship and earn their first-ever trip to the state final four.
 
"We had a sense of pride because it hadn't been done before," Temples said.  "We weren't a school that makes it to state every year and we had it in the bag.  It was a very big accomplishment for all of us, especially with the hurricane.  I think it brought us all together.  It was a goal for us to go to state, and just because a hurricane came through, we weren't going to let it deter us.   We were determined to get the job done whether we had to go to practice on a random soccer field or wherever we had to go, we were going to work toward our goal."
 
Marianna pulled off one more victory, defeating Hardee 6-1 in the state semifinal before falling to Coral Springs Charter in the 5A championship game.  However, Marianna finished the year with a 27-2-1 record, a runner-up finish in the state tournament, and one unforgettable season.
 
"I am still disappointed we came up short, but it was an experience I wouldn't trade for anything," Temples said.  "I loved all the girls, and it was a very special season for all of us."
 
Temples now begins her first year at Stetson University. She says she is looking forward to getting to work, facing some new challenges and hopefully winning over some new fans.
 
"I am very excited to play here," Temples said.  "I have a lot of ambition for these next four years.  I have goals to get better every year as a team and as a pitcher myself.  I like how everyone here is super welcoming and accepting.  We all like to work really hard I feel like we all have the same drive.  It's college, and you obviously have a lot of drive and determination to be great here."
 
The Hatters will begin fall competition this weekend.  Although Saturday's scheduled game vs. St. John's State has been cancelled, Stetson will hit the field against Eastern Florida State at noon on Sunday. Here is the team's full fall schedule:
 
Fall Schedule
Sept. 22 Eastern Florida State College 12 p.m.
Sept. 27 Daytona State  4 p.m.
Oct. 4 College of Central Florida 4 p.m.
Oct. 5 Embry-Riddle 12 p.m.
Oct. 6 Santa Fe College  12 p.m.
Oct. 11 FSC-Jacksonville 4 p.m.
 
All games are played at Patricia Wilson Field, 430 E. Arizona Ave.  Admission is free.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.
 
Gallery: (9/19/2019) Marianna Softball Hurricane Michael
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Players Mentioned

Chloe Temples

#7 Chloe Temples

LHP/OF
5' 7"
Freshman
L/L

Players Mentioned

Chloe Temples

#7 Chloe Temples

5' 7"
Freshman
L/L
LHP/OF