ELKHART — Elkhart High School softball star Ava Walker is proof positive that great things really do come in small packages.
Walker, a junior who goes 5-4 and 120 pounds “soaking wet” according to her coach/father Matt, can simply do it all at a high level on the diamond.
Walker has been superb this season as the small shortstop with big game who has her team rolling. The Lions went to 11-4 overall after a 1-1 showing at Fort Wayne Concordia April 25. Elkhart is also 3-0 in the Northern Indiana Conference. Defending league champion Penn, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A, is the only other unbeaten in conference play at 4-0.
Walker has gone from a lefty slapper hitter in the past to now a productive all-around batter for the Lions. The No. 3 hitter in a lineup averaging over nine runs per game through the first 15 games, Walker showcased her pop at the plate on April 23 by crushing a triple over the rightfielder’s head in a 15-4 five-inning home NIC win over New Prairie. The Lions scored 10 or more runs eight times in their first 15 contests.
“I put in a lot of hard work in the offseason to work on my natural swing too,” said Walker prior to the NIC twinbill versus New Prairie at Elkhart April 23. “In the past, I’ve been a slapper who would read the defense and put the ball in play. Now, I’m confident in all my tools at the plate.”
The Walker name is synonomous with softball royalty in Elkhart. Ava’s grandfather Dave was the longtime, highly-successful softball coach at Elkhart Central. Dave is still an assistant coach with the program, now headed by his son Matt.
“He is the whole reason that I’m here today,” said Ava of her grandfather. “He’s always coached me and we have a good bond.”
Walker’s production so far has been off the charts. The two-time All-NIC first team selection was batting .633 with 31 hits, 24 runs scored and 22 RBIs through 15 games. She had a double, seven triples and a home run to go with an on-base percentage of .667, a slugging percentage of 1.000 and an OPS of 1.667. The speedy shortstop also had eight stolen bases to go with four errors and a .933 fielding percentage.
“I try not to look at my numbers, but I am proud of myself because the hard work is paying off,” Walker said. “I’m putting a lot more pressure on the defense now and that’s what I like to do. I like to lead by example, which means going all out all the time and just hustling.”
It’s easy to see where Ava gets her incredible intensity and off the charts competitive streak from. One has to look no further than the Lions’ dugout and her father Matt, who is in his third season as the coach of the Lions. Matt has been around the fast pitch game forever and was an outstanding player in his own right in his younger days.
“He expects more of me and I’m okay with that,” Ava said of her father. “He gets intense and I get intense. The thing is that he pushes me to be better.”
Coach Walker credits his top player for setting the tone for his team.
“She matches my intensity,” said Matt of his daughter. “She approaches practice like it’s Game 7 of the World Series. I never have to question her focus. As far as leading by example, Ava is as good as they come.
“She just has an umatched work ethic and a different level of competitiveness. Whether it’s lifting and working out or getting in extra swings before or after practice.”
Ava led the Lions to a 17-13 overall mark and a 5-7 finish in the NIC as a sophomore. She batted .439 with 29 runs, 18 RBIs, three doubles, one triple and one homer and 22 stolen bases. She finished with a .491 on-base percentage to go with a .520 slugging percentage and an OPS of 1.011. Elkhart won a Class 4A sectional title in 2025 before losing to Penn 10-0 in a regional game.
“Ava’s role for us now is to drive in runs,” said coach Walker. “And she’s getting it. The thing is that the game has slowed down for her and that’s a credit to the travel ball that she has played.
“She’s the quarterback of our infield with her IQ at shortstop.”
Walker also was a defensive specialist last fall on the volleyball court for coach Jacquie Rost’s squad. She led the Lions in digs as Elkhart went 23-10 overall and 6-1 in the NIC.
Ava was actually a right-handed hitter when she first began playing and was a second baseman until about age 12.
“High school softball is so much different than travel ball and it’s more fun and what I’m focused on right now,” noted Ava. “Our team this year has an unmatched focus. We’re holding each other accountable better this year.”
Ava, who is already drawing her fair share of interest from Division 1 college programs, will play for Indiana Magic Gold this summer.
Coach Walker wants to try and just enjoy the moment of a sport that has been such a huge part of his family’s lives.
“We talk ball at home, but I try not to bring it up,” coach Walker remarked. “Elkhart softball is really special to me. It’s in the Walker DNA. I just try to be present in the moment and enjoy our time together with not only Ava, but also my Dad too.
“But I’m very proud of Ava. She’s paid the price.”
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Ava Walker boasts big game on softball diamond for her Elkhart squad
Reporting by Scott Davidson, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
