Indiana University Columbus softball players Taylor Hadley, left, and Taylor Poling talk about the upcoming season during media day at Indiana University Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
In its first season of intercollegiate softball, IU Columbus played its home games at Ceraland and Jennings County High School and practiced a variety of places.
The Crimson Pride have a brand new diamond at Ceraland this year and are set to debut that field on Sunday when they open the season with a doubleheader against Calumet. The games originally were scheduled for Friday, but have been moved to Sunday.
“I like knowing where our home base is instead of not knowing what field we’re going to get,” senior catcher Morgan Steineker said. “We couldn’t always get on Ceraland because they were really packed. It’s just nice we have an indoor place now we can go to. It’s nice knowing that we’re able to practice instead of not having the opportunity to get better.”
IUC, which began last season with only 13 players and finished with 11 who were healthy, has nearly doubled the size of its roster. Ten newcomers have joined the 10 players who return from last season.
“This year is just completely different,” IUC coach Tommi Stowers said. “Team chemistry is different. I definitely have to give credit to these girls really putting in the work.”
Indiana University Columbus softball player Morgan Stieneker listens to a question about the upcoming season during media day at Indiana University Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Steineker, a Shelbyville graduate, led the Crimson Pride with a .351 batting average and 12 RBIs. Taylor Hadley, a sophomore center fielder from Columbus North, batted .318 and led the team with 22 stolen bases and 16 runs scored. She ranked among the nation’s leaders in NAIA for stolen bases.
“I think there’s a lot more passion this year than there was last year,” Hadley said.
“I think there’s a lot more structure,” added Taylor Poling, a senior second baseman from Brown County. “We are scheduled for what we’re doing every day this year, and we’re now more established and the team morale, we have a lot more chemistry.”
Indiana University Columbus softball coach Tommi Stowers, left, and pitcher Sydney Owens take part in a press conference during media day at Indiana University Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Sydney Owens, a senior from Orleans, did most of the pitching last season after transferring from Spoon River College.
“Last year, whenever I came in, I didn’t know anybody,” Owens said. “When we came in this fall, everybody seemed together, and they wanted to win. It was just a lot of different chemistry. We’re all excited for the spring.”
Owens will have plenty of help with pitching duties this season with Erica Henry (junior, Shelbyville), a transfer from Olney Central, and Emerie Russell (sophomore, Mitchell), a transfer from Crown College; along with freshmen Lex Rieckers (Seymour), Delanie Bronner (New Prairie) and Calie Beikes (Heritage Christian).
Steineker and Mallory Shelton (freshman, Eastern Greene), can play catcher and first and third base. Gracie Holok (junior, Roncalli) played both left field and catcher last year.
Indiana University Columbus softball player Izzy Johnson talks about the upcoming softball season during media day at Indiana University Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Owens, Maddison Brittain (sophomore, Brownstown Central) and Poling could play first. Poling returns at second, along with Abby McDonald (redshirt freshman, Jennings County). Izzy Johnson (freshman, Western) takes over at short, and Lexi Heafner (sophomore, Columbus North) could play third or short.
The outfield returns intact with Holok in left, Hadley in center and Macy Hussung (sophomore, Franklin) in right. Ashlyn Boltinghouse (freshman, Owen Valley) and Bronner also could see action in left.
“I just have a lot of options, which is never a bad thing to have,” Stowers said.
Indiana University Columbus softball coach Tommi Stowers laughs as she answers a question about the upcoming season during media day at Indiana University Columbus in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
IUC will look to improve on a 5-24 record from its inaugural season.
“Even though we competed last year, we’re going to take steps this year,” Stowers said. “Last year, we had a very competitive schedule. I’m ready to take some of these wins that last year, maybe we lost in the last inning.”
The 2024 IU Columbus softball schedule:
Sunday vs. Calumet, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 1 vs. Indiana Wesleyan, 3 p.m.
March 8 at IU Southeast, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 9 at Midway, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 12 at Lindsey Wilson, TBA (DH)
March 15 vs. Alice Lloyd (Ky.), 1 p.m. (DH)
March 16 vs. Shawnee State, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 19 at Miami-Hamilton, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 22 vs. Brescia (Ky.), 2 p.m. (DH)
March 23 vs. Oakland City, 1 p.m. (DH)
March 29 at Ohio Christian, TBA (DH)
March 30 at Point Park (Pa.), 1 p.m. (DH)
April 5 vs. Rio Grande, 1 p.m. (DH)
April 6 vs. West Virginia Tech, TBA (DH)
April 12 vs. IU Southeast 2 p.m. (DH)
April 13 vs. Midway, 1 p.m. (DH)
April 19 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, 3 p.m. (DH)
April 20 at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, 1 p.m. (DH)
April 26 at Brescia (Ky.), 4 p.m. (DH)
April 27 at Oakland City, 2 p.m. (DH)
