MINCO, Okla. (KFOR) -- It was a miraculous return to the field for the Minco softball team, nearly six months after a bus crash seriously injured several players and coaches.
Many of them will tell you it is a day that they thought would never come again.
"We're excited," said Emma Oaks, Senior on the softball team. "Obviously a little bit nervous, but we're also grateful to have everybody supporting us."
That support hasn't wavered once in the months following the bus crash that happened in September 2025.
The team is now ready to move forward, but not before an emotional ceremony prior to Monday night's season opener.
They honored the first responders, doctors, and nurses who helped them.
"I think we're all excited to just be back after everything," said Ava Russell, Senior on the softball team.
"Six months in the waiting, and we didn't know if we'd be out here ever again, we're ready," said Cody Schmidt, Head Coach of Minco softball.
Fans erupted into cheers as the girls took the field, making it quite the moment that this tight-knit town has waited for.
"We've had to overcome a lot emotionally, physically, but I think we've all done a really amazing job just being there for one another and helping each other through hard times," said Russell.
This is something their assistant coach says he is grateful for, speaking for the first time after spending months in the hospital.
"It's been long, it's been really hard, painful,but we're here and excited to get rolling," said Jordan Benje, Assistant Coach of Minco softball.
Benje wasn't sure if he was going to make it out, but all he could think about was getting back onto the field with his team.
"Just us being out here, I think, is number one, is being able to play again," said Benje.
The girls have high hopes for this season.
"This season, we're shooting for state. I think we have what it takes to go far," said Russell.
Regardless of how the season may end, this team is bonded for life.
"We almost didn't get the opportunity to come back and play again, so I think enjoying it and just having fun, creating memories is the biggest thing," said Russell.
"I don't want to take anything for granted, so I'm really trying to make the most of everything that I can," said Oaks.
"Even when it was really, really hard and we didn't know it was going to happen, we stuck together as a team, and we're bonded forever," said Schmidt. "We keep saying that, but it's true. Like, there's nothing that's going to rip this team apart or any of us."
The Minco Lady Bulldogs are off to a good start after winning both games to open the season Monday night.