Columbus East’s Kenzie Foster, left, keeps an eye on Edinburgh pitcher MacKenzie Bieker before stealing third base during a softball game at the Steve Hollenbeck Athletic Complex in Edinburgh, Ind., Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
The Republic file photo
Columbus East is confident in taking a huge step this softball season.
A strong returning senior class, coupled with many underclassmen contributing, the Olympians look to improve on their 8-17-1 campaign last year.
With the talent on the team this year, East coach Rusty Brummett would like to see his team about double the win total from last year. One of the things the team needs to improve on to have that success is the defense and pitching.
The Olympians scored runs, but they need to improve defensively and to lower their earned run average. However, Brummett said the team is better in all three parts — offense, defense and pitching.
“We’ve got enough talent. We’re better in all three of those positions, and we need to be to have a better record. We want to do well in our (Hoosier Hills) conference,” he said. “The bottom line is, we want to teach these young ladies about how to work hard and win. We really feel we’re going to be in that spot we can turn some of those close losses into wins.”
Two of the top bats returning to the lineup are senior Division I recruits Kenzie Foster and Kaylee Cole. The duo had a combined 60 stolen bases a year ago with 34 coming from Foster and 26 from Cole.
Foster, a Syracuse commit, led the team in batting average (.513) and also in hits (40), runs (39), triples (eight) and homers (two). She will play shortstop for a majority of the time this year.
Cole, a Bowling Green commit, was second on the team in hits (36) and RBIs (35) and tied for first with Foster in home runs with two. Brummett hopes to get Cole out in center field some games and also utilize her for both the infield and outfield depending on the opponent.
“Both of them had really nice offensive years and a lot of stolen bases. They did some nice work with their batting average and on-base percentage. They worked on getting their power up a little bit,” Brummett said. “Obviously, they’re a year older and a year stronger. They’re looking to put the ball in play and cause problems with defense with their speed and taking the extra bases.”
Senior Megan Kennedy is the top returning pitcher. Junior Hermoine Robinson, a move-in from Greensburg, will help out with the pitching. Kaylee Smith, who was East’s other pitcher last season, has opted not to play softball this season.
Columbus East’s Addy Ross (35) shares a smile with teammates after hitting a home run against Columbus North at Southside Elementary Monday April 18, 2022.
The Republic file photo
Juniors Addy Ross and Savanna Sullivan are returning starters. Other top returners include seniors Joycee Redman and Brooklyn Saxe and sophomore Jayla Mullins.
Senior Maryn Mayes, who played at Columbus North as a sophomore, has joined the team this year. Also new is junior Hailey Robinson, Hermoine’s sister.
Incoming freshmen include Natasha Armstrong, Derika Duncan, Raegyn Foster, Lila Fox, Kenzie Hampton and Daisy Hogan.
With the sectional realignment that went into effect this year, Bloomington North and Bloomington South have been swapped for Franklin and Whiteland. It’ll still be a tough road in the sectional regardless of the switch. Columbus North and defending champion Shelbyville, who made it to the semistate final in Class 4A last year, will be the favorites. The Olympians are scheduled to play both of them this season in the same week. They’ll play the Bull Dogs on April 17 and the Golden Bears on April 21.
“They all have accepted it as a good challenge for us. Losing the two Bloomington schools, we’ll still play them this year. They’re both good programs,” Brummett said. “We’ve always played Franklin in a doubleheader. We’ve seen that program and know they’re solid. Whiteland is a new one for us. We haven’t scheduled them but can see us at some point adding them to our regular season so we can see them.
“You’ve always got to look at Shelbyville. They’re going to be good. They did lose (Karissa) Hamilton, but they reload,” he added. “It’s going to be different, but ultimately, you’ve got to believe our sectional is going to go through Shelbyville and Columbus North. We’ve got to figure out how to beat those teams.”
The 2023 Columbus East softball schedule:
Tuesday;Edinburgh;5 p.m.
March 30;Bloomington North;6 p.m.
April 1;Bloomington South (DH);10 a.m.
April 4;Brownstown Central;5:30 p.m.
April 6;at Floyd Central;6:30 p.m.
April 7;Brown County;5 p.m.
April 8;Greensburg (DH);11 a.m.
April 10;at Hauser;5:30 p.m.
April 15;Mt. Vernon (DH);10 a.m.
April 17;Columbus North;5 p.m.
April 20;at Seymour;5:30 p.m.
April 21;at Shelbyville;5:30 p.m.
April 22;at Franklin (DH);10 a.m.
April 25;Jennings County;5 p.m.
April 28;at Bedford North Lawrence;6 p.m.
May 1;at New Albany;6 p.m.
May 2;at Madison;5:30 p.m.
May 4;Trinity Lutheran;5:30 p.m.
May 10;at Jeffersonville;5:30 p.m.
May 13;at Columbus North Invitational;10 a.m.
May 16;Indian Creek;5:30 p.m.
May 18;Scottsburg;5:30 p.m.
