Softball finally kicks off in the Bloomington area this week, so let’s take a look at our five favorite squads and the big question they need to answer this season.
Can Edgewood’s seniors make a big run?
COACH — Mick Hammett, 31st season. LAST YEAR — 22-6, 9-1 WIC.
RETURNING STARTERS — Ally Bland, Sr. P; Ella Sproul, Sr. 1B; Addison Yearby, Sr. 2B; Madi Bland, Sr. SS; Jayden Stephens, Sr. C/3B; Libby McElhinney, Jr. 3B; Lindzey Rains, Sr. OF; Lizzy Austin, Sr. OF; Ava LaRoche, Sr. OF.
OUTLOOK — This is the biggest class of seniors (nine) that Hammett has ever had and they’d love to go out as one of the best, having already won 66 games and two sectional titles (2023 and ’24). The schedule has been amped up for a team that brings back most of the major pieces from a team that hit .280 and scored over 150 runs and has one of the state’s top pitchers, who has struck out 538 batters the past two seasons. Early on, Hammett will be looking to piece together the best possible lineup. “We should be solid defensively,” Hammett said. “We had five strong hitters last year and the others pitched in, but we’re hoping they’ll do more this year.”
Pitching: Ally Bland, a Taylor signee, will again handle most of the duties. “She’s a little more seasoned, Hammett said. “I think she opened the eyes of her travel team that they had a hidden gym there. They were not using her as well as they should have been. She got a lot more time pitching than what she had, before. She was their third or fourth choice and moved up.” Backups are senior Autumn Coons and freshman Braylin Bentley, who looked solid in the scrimmage against Franklin.
Batting order: Madi Bland (UIndy) is back on the field again after her ACL injury but remained a valuable piece last year calling pitches for sister Ally, a job she’ll hand off to others to help take command of the infield. “I keep kidding her she may be more valuable than in the field,” Hammett said. “It’s not the truth. She did a great job at that but I’m glad to have her bat back in the lineup. I know she’s probably overanxious for the time she lost, but I hope she’ll relax up there and hit the ball. If she does that she’ll be fine.” Another year’s experience should only help the rest of the lineup, as most of them stayed busy playing over the summer or competing in other sports as the Bland twins, Yearby, Austin, LaRoche and Bentley all come in off basketball. “They we’re pretty focused and locked in last year,” Hammett said. “So that shouldn’t change. That’s the way they were last year and as freshmen and sophomores. I just hope they don’t press too hard.”
How improved are South’s young pitchers?
COACH — Meg Montgomery, 24th season. LAST YEAR — 10-8, 4-1 CI.
RETURNING STARTERS — Carly Reed, Sr. 2B/OF; Sloane Barrett, Sr. OF; Larkyn Ivey, Sr. SS; Lindsay Blanton, Sr. C/OF; Taylor Crohn, Jr. 1B; Rachel Johnson, So. P/1B; Abby Purtlebaugh, Jr. DH/C/3B; Shilo Rockhill, So. P.
OUTLOOK — The athleticism and versatility this team has is making it tough for Montgomery to settle on a lineup, so for the time being, she’s not. What is a sure thing in her mind is the team chemistry and the leadership being shown by her five seniors and her sophomore pitching staff. “The senior class is anchoring this group,” Montgomery said. “They’re doing a great job leadership wise so it’s nice to have that experience at the top. This is just a fun team to be with. They work their tails off and are a lot of fun to be around. But they know when to get serious. It takes work to get better. The kids can play multiple positions so they’re not locked into playing any one position.”
Pitching: Johnson and Rockhill should be a bit more confident now after going through last year’s freshman growing pains. They have quality catchers to work with in Blanton and Purtlebaugh, who is coming off a shoulder injury. “They had great seasons last year,” Montgomery said. “They were young and got that experience so we’re looking for them to be leaders on the mound.” Johnson is the ace and comes back strong with better movement on her pitches. Rockhill will bring a change of pace to Johnson. “They know what it takes to be successful,” Montgomery said. Freshman Nora Sons will also see some innings.
Batting order: Candidates to fill out the starting lineup include sophomore Savannah Huffman in the outfield (left), while Barrett moves from right to center with sophomore Perry Murphy and junior Remy Neal getting a shot as new starters in right. Blanton has enough speed to play OF as well. The infield has Crohn at first, while Reed and sophomore Addy Suhr, who will also DP as Montgomery needs to keep her bat in the order, will share second. With Purtlebaugh limited to just hitting for now, junior Aminah Saahir will find a spot either at third or in the outfield. Frosh Molly Adams and Izzy Slater will be backup catchers with Adams also able to play short. Senior transfer Madison Maxwell can also catch. “The biggest thing for us is to get runners on base,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got a lot of speed and I’ve got power throughout the lineup. But we’ve got to execute and get on base. The kids who hit singles and doubles are just as important.”
Can new faces get North turned around?
COACH — Kat Edmonds, 3rd year. LAST YEAR — 5-16, 1-4 CI.
RETURNING STARTERS — Jocelyn Parrish, Sr. C; Kendon Galligher, Sr.; Kaydence Silvers, Sr. OF; Grayson Gill, Jr. SS.
OUTLOOK — There’s a big reset as far as the pitching staff is concerned with long time starters/middle infielders Kendyl Feutz (Thomas More) and Molly Klein (Goshen) off to college. A lot will be asked of the three seniors and a transfer pitcher (Brylee Moore) as a lot of new faces will step into varsity roles. “I’m excited, but I feel like that every year,” Edmonds said. “Moore from Edgewood will pitch for us. I’m excited about that. She’s been a really good addition to the team and also has a pretty good bat. We have a lot of good leaders this year.” The youngsters will have to learn on the job. “A lot of it will be staying confident and not getting easily discouraged just because it will be a learning season,” Edmonds said. “We’ve got a lot of new people who will be asked to step up.”
Pitching: Moore got a bit of time spelling Ally Bland last year but now steps into the role of ace for a team that needed one. She has good movement on her pitches and an effective curve that should keep hitters off-balance. “I think she brings a lot of confidence and has a lot to prove,” Edmonds said. “And I think that she will be someone who steps up in her role. I think she’s ready for that. She does well under pressure.” New arms to back her up include junior Sarah Hanson and Gill.
Batting order: The outfield sees Silvers in center surrounded by new faces as sophomore Savannah Hammond, junior Penelope Kearns and freshmen Alainah Peter and Korinne Galligher look to fill in the other two spots. Behind the plate, North is set with Parrish back and sophomore Piper Riddle. Hammond and Kendon Gallgher are utility players on the infield at second and third with Gill at short and sophomore Elizabeth Bruce coming back to play first base. “We have a good group of players who could play many positions so we’re more about a rebuilding of the lineup this year, so we’re trying to figure out the chemistry of it all,” Edmonds said. “So we’ll see that first week. Offensively, we will have to be solid. I told them we’re going to rely on our bats a lot this year to score and manufacture runs. We want to be aggressive but it’s their first time, so there will be a lot of learning. But I do think the center of our lineup will bring some pop. The girls on the bench will do a lot of pinch running this year.”
How will Owen Valley’s team come together?
COACH — Brian Greene, 8th season. LAST YEAR — 9-14, 3-7 WIC.
RETURNING STARTERS — Haley Amador, Jr. P; Makynlee Bonds, Sr.; Claire Paquette, Sr.; Mallory Tampin, Sr.; Isabella Harris, Sr.; Abree Wells, Jr. 3B; Addy Applegate, Jr.
OUTLOOK — ‘Positionless basketball’ has become a thing and head coach Brian Greene was in the same mode as practice finally took off after spring break. He has a lot of talent and experience back from last year and his pitching is well set. The rest of it, not so much. “We have a lot of versatility,” Greene said. “So far, the first thing I know is that these girls are a close, tight-knit group and fun to coach. Our kids were making so much noise at practice recently, the middle school kids walking by were looking over to see what was going on. We’re athletic and versatile and our girls have played quite a bit. The fun and the energy are good and they can be resilient, too. We’ll need that as we figure things out. Our girls need to stay positive and trust in the process.”
Pitching: Having Amador back and healthy after a foot issue last year, is a big deal. “She’s getting used to her catchers and communicating with them,” Greene said. “She looks good and she has command of three or four pitches.” Abree Wells will back her up along with Jada Inman and Issabella Harris. Only Wells (10⅓ innings) threw varsity last year, so their development and ability to give Greene a chance to rest Amador on occasion and stay competitive will be a big deal.
Batting order: Greene says a half-dozen of his top players could end up anywhere. Injuries to a few players is hindering the sorting out process a bit. “We’re looking at what they do best but also what’s best for what our needs are,” Greene said. Sophomore Chanley Tracy can play outfield or first base. Seniors include Makynlee Bonds, team captain and Oakland City commit, Claire Paquette and Mallory Tamplin, limited by injury last year. Addy Applegate is moving behind the plate. Freshman Tinsley Monroe, younger sister of Taylor, now at Louisville, will make her varsity debut and will bring a solid glove to short, second or center field. Amador, Wells and Bonds all batted .330 or better last year. “We’ve got speed, so we’ll be aggressive on the bases,” Greene said. “We have a bunch of doubles hitters, who can turn a few of those into home runs. We’re just hoping for good contact, work the middle of the field and get some traffic on the bases.”
How fast can Eastern Greene grow up?
COACH — Stacey Deckard, 1st season. LAST YEAR — 6-13, 1-6 SWIAC.
RETURNING STARTERS — Addison Ramey, Sr. P; Grace Deckard, Jr. C/P/3B; Makayla Singh, Jr. OF; Brianna Cunningham, Jr. CF.
OUTLOOK — The T-Birds are almost starting from scratch. They have a new coach in Stacey Deckard, who had Eastern’s youth program for seven years, lost a key player/pitcher in Charley Paurazas, who moved and will build around a senior and three juniors back from last year. They are embracing the challenge. “Our team is pretty young,” Deckard said. “But even with the age I would say we still have three or four girls who have not played softball previously. So it really is young. The four we have returning are solid players and they are super good leaders and great teammates. The team as a whole is an amazing group. They all have good attitudes and are hard working. Two of them who never played before ever, after a couple months working, have grown substantially. I’m proud of them.”
Pitching: Ramey brings back plenty of experience as last year’s ace, but beyond that is a big question mark. “Having no backup, we asked the whole team if anyone was interested,” Deckard said. Daughter Grace Deckard answered the call, having pitched for several years until junior high. Ramey is just a phenomenal leader. We’re lucky to have her as a senior. I’ve coached her along side her dad when I started the youth league. It’s been awesome to watch her grow up in the program.”
Batting order: Singh and Cunningham will spend most of their time in the outfield with their experience and speed, though, they could be used anywhere. A big chunk of the five sophomores have experience and will step up this year. Gracyn Collier, Charlie Deckard and Alyvia West will all see quite a bit of playing time at several spots. Freshman Hadley Hash has earned the start at first base. Offensively, Eastern may struggle at some spots. “Our experienced players and even our sophomores can get the bat on the ball,” Deckard said. “I was impressed watching them last year as freshman. The freshmen just lack experience and the exposure to that level of pitching will be new to them.”
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: An inside look at Bloomington area softball teams this season
Reporting by Jim Gordillo, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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