After COVID-19 wiped out the entire 2020 season, spring sports are back.
Today begins a series of previews for the six spring sports. First up is softball.
The next couple of days, we’ll preview the Columbus East and Columbus North softball teams. Today, we look at the other seven area schools, beginning with Hauser.
Hauser
The Jets have a few players who saw action in 2019 still with the team.
“We’re just ingraining fundamentals, refreshing fundamentals,” Hauser coach Andy Brunner said. “We have a very versatile, very talented team. I have depth with pitching and many more ballplayers than position players. Injuries or COVID will give us flexibility to mix things up as we need to.”
Senior Zoee Nading, who started as a freshman and sophomore, returns in center field. Junior Abby Branum, who played right field two years ago, will be in left.
Senior Hannah Johnson and junior Stephanie Meek, both of which saw action in 2019, will be at first base. Junior Morgan Bottoms, who played some that year, will be at second.
The Jets have a trio of new pitchers in freshman righthander Paige McDaniel, senior lefthander Dani Steward and sophomore lefthander Kaydence Gates. Steward, who moved in from Indianapolis Lutheran after her sophomore year, has committed to play at Hanover.
Sophomores Reagan Johnson and Kylie Mack will do the catching. Sophomores Hannah Taylor and Kyra Meister will be at shortstop and third. Sophomore Brooklyn Saxe, along with Steward and McDaniel could play right field.
“I’m glad to have the versatility,” Brunner said. “But I’m not just looking at defense. I’m looking at bats and having the best 10 I can in the lineup every night.”
Hauser will look to win its first Mid-Hoosier Conference and sectional titles since 2018.
“That has been our focus, putting in the work now so we’re ready come late May or early June,” Brunner said.
Columbus Christian
Crusaders volleyball coach Sarah Stair, who played softball at University of Indianapolis and has been a softball assistant coach at Columbus Christian, takes over for Kendall Wildey.
Sophomore Emily Stair was the Crusaders’ pitcher in 2018 and 2019. Sophomore Kayla Jones returns in center, and senior Hannah Stair and sophomore Madi Blair are back in the infield.
Senior Madison Henderson and sophomore Sarah Lorimor also could play in the infield. Senior Kinidy Morgan could play in the infield or do the catching.
Junior Maddie Goddard could play in the outfield, and sophomore Isabella VanCuren could be in the infield or outfield. Also battling for spots are eighth-graders Eva Blair and Mariah Holt and seventh-graders Mara Nickerson, Kenna Conrad and Lauren Sanders.
“We’ve worked on some fielding and some hitting, just trying to see where everybody is at,” Sarah Stair said. “I’ve been trying to watch and see who can do what and see who fits best where and kind of piece them together. There’s a lot of natural ability that can be trained, an I’m excited to see how this season pulls together.”
Jennings County
The Panthers return six players from their 2019 sectional championship team and have a variety of players battling at each position.
Senior Shelby Wilson was one of the team’s pitchers two years ago. Senior Lydia Hall, junior Hallie Boardman and freshmen Kenzie Matern, Charlee Barlow and Lakota Henry also could see time in the circle.
Junior Delaney McCreary did some catching in 2019 and will be back there, along with sophomores Abby McDonald and Lexi Doup and freshman Alexis Carson and Elizabeth Evans.
Wilson has played some first base, and could see action there, along with Hall, Doup and Carson. Seniors Brooke Mowery, Avery Zamora and Skylar Weber, along with McCreary, McDonald, Matern and sophomores Taylor Mowery and Lainey Gresham are battling for the other infield spots.
Senior Tori Lee returns in center, and senior Alaina Young also has seen time in the outfield. Juniors Grace George, Kadence Laman and Kylee Boardman and sophomore Ashley Mead and Evans also are battling for outfield positions.
“Missing the season last year, we’re looking for a lot of girls to step up and have a great year,” Jennings coach Bobby Willis said. “We’re very deep, and they’re battling for positions right now.”
Brown County
The Eagles have a new coach in former Columbus East and Butler catcher Elyse Babb-Snider. She has only one senior in first baseman Isa Fogg.
Junior Abigail Watson takes over the pitching duties, and sophomore Savannah Oden will be the catcher. Freshman Lexi Austin steps in at second, junior Kailey Buccos at short and junior Kaitlyn Waltz or freshman Ally Hash at third.
Freshmen Lynsey Summers, Milly Patrick and Ava Kelly will form a young outfield.
“So far, you can tell there’s some rust there because they hadn’t played last season,” Babb-Snider said. “We’re a very young team. We have only one senior, but we have some very athletic underclassmen. So far, it’s all been pretty positive. They’re hard working, they have great attitudes. They show up every day for practice and get the work done, and that’s definitely something that’s been super important to me, having girls that want to be there and get better at the sport.”
Edinburgh
The Lancers will have a veteran infield with three seniors. Second baseman Gracie Long and shortsop Kaitlyn Bailey have started since they were freshmen.
Senior Mackenzie Whetstine, who moved in last year, takes over at first base. Sophomore Gracie Crawhorn steps in at third.
Edinburgh will have an all-freshman battery with pitcher Mackenzie Bieker and catcher Kyah Streeval. junior Carly Cowan in left and senior Morgan Calhoun in right saw action two years ago and will be joined by freshman Alix Streeval in center.
Senior Catey Streeval, who played first base in 2019, could be the designated player. Junior Callie Hancock will back up Kyah Streeval behind the plate.
“We’re a little senior-heavy, which is a good thing,” Edinburgh coach Ben Taylor said. “But I have a sophomore and three freshmen that are going to be a big part of what we do. The freshmen and sophomore are all travel players, so they’re going to bring a lot to us.”
South Decatur
The Cougars will be versatile with several players who could play a variety of positions.
Junior Loryn Pate will be the top pitcher, but also could play infield or outfield. Senior Megan Manlief could play catcher or outfield, and senior Erynn Dyer moves from outfield to shortstop and will be the No. 2 pitcher.
Junior Brook Somers moves from right to center or left, sophomore Cassidy Haley could play outfield or third and sophomore Zory Sharp and senior Allyson Antunez could play in the infield. Freshman Molly Eden could play first or infield; freshman Emily Tyler could play infield and be the backup catcher; junior Madison Mikulec could play first, outfield and backup catcher and sophomore Aliza Skinner could play the infield and do some pitching.
“I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far,” South Decatur coach Lisa Huff said. “I think we’re going to be able to put the ball in play and hit the ball fine. We had six kids playing travel ball over the summer, and that’s the most I’ve had. So far, the work ethic has been great, attitudes are great and they’re working hard. They just want to have a season because they didn’t have one last year.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars return five starters from 2019, including junior pitcher Kamzi Gross, who pitched every inning of every game.
Senior Genesis Munoz returns at catcher, and senior Bailey Reynolds is back at third. Also returning are junior Hannah Kerchof in right and junior Ally Russell, who moves from second to center field.
Freshmen Dianna Munoz and Olivia Cain take over at first and second, and sophomore Bailey Tabeling steps in at short. Sophomore Samantha Enzinger will be in left.
Junior Kailene Cockerham and freshman Morgan Brewer could pinch run and be defensive specialists.
“We’re pretty strong in the infield,” Trinity coach Bob Tabeling said. “We’re pretty comfortable with that. Obviously with just one pitcher, that’s a concern, but we went through that a couple years ago and we were OK. Kamzi is a junior now, and she’s a lot stronger.”
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The 2021 Hauser and Columbus Christian softball schedules:
Hauser
March 26;Columbus East;5:30 p.m.
March 29;at Jennings County;5:30 p.m.
March 30;Brownstown Central;5:30 p.m.
April 1;at Jac-Cen-Del;5 p.m.
April 5;Rising Sun;5:30 p.m.
April 7;at Madison;5:30 p.m.
April 8;Edinburgh;5 p.m.
April 9;at Edinburgh;5 p.m.
April 15;North Decatur;5 p.m.
April 16;at North Decatur;5 p.m.
April 17;Brown County;9 a.m.
April 19;at Triton Central;5:30 p.m.
April 22;Waldron;5 p.m.
April 23;at Waldron;5 p.m.
April 24;at Indianapolis Lutheran;Noon
April 24;at Edinburgh;2 p.m.
April 26;Rushville;5:30 p.m.
May 4;Greensburg;5 p.m.
May 8;at Lawrenceburg;11 a.m.
May 11;at Trinity Lutheran;5 p.m.
May 13;at South Decatur;5 p.m.
May 14;South Decatur;5 p.m.
May 17;Morristown;5:30 p.m.
May 18;at Morristown;5:30 p.m.
May 20;at Columbus North;5 p.m.
