Heading into Wednesday’s elimination game as the underdog was the least of its worries for Chaparral, a softball team that hasn’t allowed adversity to end its season since Day 1.

The latest challenge confronting Chaparral is that its every-day pitcher, Dallas McBride, is playing despite recently being diagnosed with pneumonia. Injuries to other players and its head coach, a car accident, and losing a close friend are just some of the other painful moments some of Chaparral’s players have experienced this season.

But those difficult circumstances also helped mold a resilient Chaparral team during a Division I 2013 journey that is one win away from a the state championship appearance. McBride showed Wednesday why nothing seems to break her team’s resolve, tossing a complete game 2-hitter and hitting a 3-run blast to help Chaparral win 6-1 and end Horizon’s season at Rose Mofford Sports Complex.       

“In the beginning of the season, we really weren’t that close, but since we’ve been through everything, including injuries and losing friends, we all came together as one,” said McBride while coughing. “We are really close now. We are like sisters.”

This past weekend, a doctor told McBride to take it easy, but it doesn’t appear that she is about to follow her doctor’s orders any time soon.

Another player who’s making the most of her time on the field this season is senior Kendra Coleman, who along with her twin sister, Ashton, Chaparral’s leading hitter last season, were in a car accident in Week 1. It took them a while to return to the field, but the Coleman sisters are finding ways to contribute.

On Wednesday, Kendra went 2 for 4 with two RBI’s, and Ashton had a double. Another Chaparral player, senior Blakeley Koziol, has been playing with a heavy heart since learning that one of her close friends died recently. 

“We’ve grown up a lot this season,” said Chaparral coach Stefanie Ewing, who suffered a knee injury this season while playing in a softball game.  “We’ve learned how to fight and bounce back as a team.”

Chaparral must continue fighting in the loser’s bracket if it wants to reach Tuesday’s title game.

For that to happen, Chaparral (27-11) must win its fourth consecutive game in the loser’s bracket. At No. 14, Chaparral is the lowest seed remaining in the D-I tournament.

It’ll play No. 5 seed Mesa Mountain View on Friday.