Columbus North graduate and Marian sophomore Sierra Norman connects with a pitch.
Submitted photo
After missing her senior high school softball season when it was canceled because of the COVID pandemic, Sierra Norman went through a little bit of an adjustment period when she suited up for Marian University last year.
This season, Norman’s game has taken off. The sophomore from Columbus North is one of the top hitters on a Marian team that is 38-9 and ranked No. 17 in NAIA heading into today’s Crossroads League Tournament opener.
“To start out, I was a little nervous transitioning from high school softball to college softball,” Norman said. “Toward the end of the season, I was able to get into a little bit of a rhythm and show the player that I am.”
As a freshman, Norman started all 60 games and batted .312 with six home runs and 44 RBIs. She has eclipsed those numbers this season, batting .378 with 16 homers and 51 RBIs in 47 games.
Norman’s home run and RBI totals rank second on the team, and she is third on the squad in batting average.
“I think it’s confidence in my approach stepping into the box at the plate,” Norman said. “I feel like I’ve definitely been more myself in the box and had more confidence at the plate, which allows me to be more successful. If I have confidence in myself, I know I’m able to do my job.”
Norman, who has a .791 slugging percentage, has been a mainstay in the clean-up spot in the batting order all season.
“It feels pretty awesome just to know that I’m in that position,” she said. “That’s where my power comes in. I can move runners and drive in runs. The main goal is just to hit and get on and move runners along.”
Columbus North graduate and Marian sophomore Sierra Norman catches a pop fly at first base.
Submitted photo
Although she played mostly shortstop and third base for the Bull Dogs, Norman has been entrenched at first base for the Knights the past two seasons. She started all 60 games there last year and has started all 47 games at first base this season.
“I love it,” Norman said. “The transition was pretty easy. I love that spot on the field. I think it’s a great spot to be a part of the plays for the team.”
Marian went 28-8 in the Crossroads League this season to finish second behind Indiana Wesleyan.
The Knights are hosting the Crossroads League Tournament this week at Grand Park in Westfield. They open the tourney at 3 p.m. today against Huntington.
“I think our chances are very good,” Norman said. “It’s a new start, basically a new season. I have full confidence we will do well and go far. Obviously, the goal is to win the conference tournament, but if we don’t win, we have a chance to make the NAIA Tournament.”
The NAIA Tournament starts May 16.
“I want to go as far as we can,” Norman said. “I think our team is capable. It just depends if we play our best each game.”
Sierra Norman
Norman is majoring in physiology of exercise and plans to go to pharmacy school, possibly at Purdue, after graduating from Marian in 2024. For now, she’s having fun playing softball and helping lead Marian to big things.
“I think we’re having a pretty good year,” Norman said. “We’ve won some big games this year. I feel like this team is really close, and we have a lot of good chemistry and we play really well together. The atmosphere is really fun. This team is really fun, and we have a lot of fun together.”
