Waterford — And now to make this bizarre leap from a softball game ... straight into Buddhism (bet you've never read THAT line before).

But Buddhist teachings, in their own words, "are about reclaiming and expanding the present moment. It tries to have you understand, without arguing the point, that there is no purpose in getting anywhere if, when you get there, all you do is think about getting to some other future moment."

Ah, but human nature often views the present as an obstacle, succinctly summarized by author Dan Harris: "Don't hunt around your plate for the next bite of food without enjoying what's in your mouth."

These are the lessons coach Andy Walker would like imparted to the state's No. 4-ranked high school softball team. No mincing words here: Waterford is loaded.

The capabilities include state championship No. 6 and a final No. 1 ranking, mostly on the shoulders of Villanova-bound pitcher Maddie Burrows, who could win Gatorade Player of the Year to complete the first brother-sister act in state history. Jared, her brother, was the baseball winner in 2020.

The previous paragraph, however, has little to do with the present. It's just hard to think in the moment sometimes, especially with the circumstances around the program.

Last season ended with a thud, a nine-inning 1-0 loss to East Haven in the Class L state quarterfinals. Waterford left six runners on base in the late innings, all after Emma Marelli came within an eyelash of ending the game. Marelli hit a deep fly ball to left in the bottom of the seventh that hit the top of the fence. It turned into the most depressing leadoff double ever.

And so the 2022 season opened Saturday on the Lancers' pristine, turfed lawn, at the intersection between the remorse of last season's lost opportunity and the hope and wonder that awaits. But before one wishes away the calendar — can June and the playoffs hurry up and get here — there's the Buddhist ballad of enjoying every day.

"Everyone always talks about that fly ball," Marelli said. "But I feel like it pushes me and our team to know where we can be. Maybe this year it'll go out."

The Lancers managed to hit one out Saturday (Burrows went boom) during an 18-2 win over Woodstock Academy, shortened to five innings by the ever-merciful mercy rule.

"As a senior, I realize that every game I play could be my last," Marelli said. "And this year, it really could be my last because I may never step on a softball field again if I don't play in college. I don't take any game for granted. Even a game like this that's a mercy, it's still so much fun to be out there with my team."

Burrows: "I kind of let go of the East Haven game. Focused on a new season. All the wins throughout the year still mean something to us. If we focus on all the hard games toward the end, we'll forget the others and not play our best."

Not all the hard games will be at the end. Walker has assembled a schedule just shy of the American League East, in part because his team couldn't solve East Haven pitcher Emilee Bishop last season. Waterford will play Bishop and East Haven again as well as defending Class LL champion Southington, Class LL runner up Fairfield Ludlowe (which snapped Masuk's 36-game win streak Saturday) and Class LL Cheshire, the No. 3 seed in last season's state tournament. In total, four of the preseason top 10.

"I want to make sure we see good pitching throughout the year," Walker said. "The questions posed to me since last year ended have been all about getting to the state championship (Walker won the title in 2019). You have all the players back. The kids are constantly reminded about how good they are. It's very important to focus on what's at hand each day. Not think too far ahead.

"This specific group, especially the seniors, have put a lot of time and effort into softball. I really want them to have something special at the end. We've been working very hard to try and maintain some level of calm. Not thinking all the way ahead to the state tournament. But to just think about today."

They're 1-0. Practice on Monday. Ledyard on Tuesday. Then April showers, May flowers. June will get here soon enough.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro