Lori Benson resigns as South Side softball coach

For South Side's Lori Benson, family will always trump success.

Despite being in the middle of a successful run on the softball, Benson recently decided to resign as head coach to spend more time with her husband and two sons.

"These girls are talented, and I love them like they were my children," Benson said. "But when my nine year old said, 'Momma, are you not going to be at any of my games this week?' I knew right then."

Benson helped the Lady Hawks to a Region 7-AA semifinal berth in 2016, and this past season, they went 23-7-1.

"When I was little, there weren't many games that I looked up in the stands and didn't see my parents," Benson said. "I want the same for my kids."

But don't think Benson is going to stay away completely.

"I am going to help as much as I can," she said. "I will help with practices and help scheduling, but I just can't be at every game. My kids are very important to me. Like I told the girls, they all have supportive parents, and when they look up in the stands, their parents are there. Hopefully, my kids will look back and feel the same."

Benson has two sons that are starting to get to the competitive level with baseball with a nine year old and a seven year old.

"I was late to one game this year when we had a game at 5 in Bolivar," Benson said. "He played at 6. I got there about 7, so I got to see the final 20-30 minutes. He asked me, 'Momma, did you see me do this?' And I had to tell him I wasn't there yet. My heart hurt not being able to see them."

Benson said there is a person in mind to take over the softball program, and that made it even easier to step away at this time.

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.