One distinguished uplifting voice was part of Centennial softball’s fabric the past two seasons. It wasn’t from the coaching staff or in the dugout, but from one of their biggest fans: pitcher Lauren Jensen’s mom, Deverie.

Deverie was affectionately the team mom, offering postgame hugs for all and always beaming with positivity and encouragement. When another parent couldn’t attend a game, Deverie often filmed their child’s at-bats and sent them updates.

She brought that radiant optimism despite battling breast cancer. Deverie rarely ever missed a game and followed along online anytime she couldn’t attend.

Late last season, Centennial coach Eddie Fowler admittedly concentrated more on ensuring that she found a way down to the field than hitting flyballs and groundballs in pregame warmups.

In July, after a three-year battle, Deverie died at age 50. However, her lasting impact and indelible mark on the program remains.

“You could talk to her for 30 seconds and you love her immediately,” Centennial assistant coach Mike Hall said. “That kind of person is easy to remember when they’re gone. Dev is very much in all of our hearts and minds; she’s an unforgettable person.”

Deverie’s kind-hearted personality shined through in how she always prioritized the well-being of others and possessed a unique ability to uplift everyone around her. After Fowler lost a sister last year, he remembers Deverie often giving him a hug and consistently checking in.

As Deverie always uplifted the team, Centennial wanted to find a way to do the same in her honor. Last season, the Eagles hosted a breast cancer awareness game and sold pink T-shirts that raised money for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.

The coaches and captains met before this season and discussed different ways to recognize Deverie’s legacy. Spearheaded by senior Sarah Middleton, Centennial decided to wear pink shoelaces on their cleats and “4 Dev” stickers on their helmets.

“It shows how great of a person she was that she left such a great impact on everyone and that everyone misses her so much,” Lauren, a junior, said. “Knowing that feeljust makes me feel really proud of her and proud to be her daughter.”

With those gestures, Deverie is at the forefront of their minds and ever-present in their hearts.

“She’s just as much family to all of us as she is to Lauren,” Middleton said holding back tears. “I knew that there was something that I needed to do, and we needed to do as a family, as a team, to honor and represent her because she was just as big a part of the team as any other player.”

Lauren, in many ways, emulates her mom’s strength and personality on the diamond. A three-year varsity player, she is one of the team’s leaders. Like her mom, Lauren regularly boosts the morale of those around her through constant praise and reassurance. While Lauren has rallied around her teammates, they’ve done the same for her and her family.

Lauren recalled feelings of sadness and emptiness in this year’s season-opener. However, the Eagles’ continued support has helped her feel more comfortable. Eric Jensen, Lauren’s dad, was choked up when the Eagles debuted their “4 Dev” helmet stickers.

Throughout Deverie’s cancer battle, Lauren was often able to compartmentalize and focus on volleyball and softball. While Deverie was in the hospital or undergoing chemotherapy, softball was an outlet and an escape from that. Since her passing, Lauren often reminds herself that her mom is still with her and cheering her on.

With that thought in mind, Lauren’s pushed through and flourished as part of an ascending Eagles team.

“She’s pretty much her mother,” Fowler said. “She’s a strong lady and she knows that she has a community behind her. To see her persevere and just push through, nothing gets in her way. It’s pretty remarkable, she’s an incredible young lady.”

She’s grown more accustomed to playing at the varsity level along with much of the Eagles’ core who are also three-year varsity players. Through last week, Lauren compiled an 8-4 record with a 2.07 ERA and 38 strikeouts. She is also hitting .333 with four extra-base hits as she’s provided a spark from the No. 9 spot in the lineup.

“She’s having her best season that I can remember,” Eric Jensen said. “She’s gone through a lot with the passing of her mom and her mom being sick for three years. So, I feel like she’s really laser-focused this year, and I think that’s just a testament to her growth.”

Each passing game is another reminder of the routine postgame debriefs that Eric and Lauren miss so dearly. Whether it was on the car ride home or at dinner, the Jensen family always reflected back on key moments from that day’s game. Eric and Lauren still continue that tradition today.

Deverie always made sure to highlight the positive aspects of Lauren and her teammates’ play and routinely shared how proud she was of Lauren. Of all those special postgame chats, the dinner after the Eagles’ thrilling 8-7 regional semifinal victory over Southern-AA last season stands out most. That night, Deverie, Eric and Lauren fondly reflected on the team’s collective growth throughout the season as they continued to reach new heights.

Deverie’s passing offers the group added perspective and serves as a reminder to play their hearts out and never take anything for granted. Each time they lace up their cleats or put on their helmet, Deverie’s right there with them as they play with heavy hearts and a greater purpose.

“It makes me feel more connected to her,” Lauren said. “Not only having [the sticker] on me but also seeing it around me on all my other teammates, knowing that they all have a part of her with them.”

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