Trojanette softball building off success
After a run to the regional semifinals a season ago, Windthorst looks to keep improving after returning all nine starters from last year’s squad. A young team last year, the Trojanettes are dangerous this year, instilled with a confidence following a deep playoff run.
Head coach Alyson Deatherage isn’t worried about district titles or playoff runs just yet, however, the Trojanettes leader is focused on getting better and better each and every day.
“I just want to make sure we’re improving every single game like last year,” Deatherage said. “I want to make sure we’re competing to the best of our ability every single pitch. That’s my biggest goal is for us to compete. We have some younger kids that are all pretty raw and haven’t played a lot but they’ve got a lot of potential. We can definitely grow as a team. Last year instilled that we know that we can do it so I think that’s helped us start this year a lot better and a lot more confident.”
In what will likely once again be an extremely competitive district, Windthorst has all the pieces in place to contend for a championship.
“I think it all depends on us,” she said. “We have to find consistency of making the easy plays. That’s our biggest obstacle right now is being consistent. I think our district outlook is bright as long as we play like we can. Last year we finished third and our goal is to move up in those rankings. I believe we can finish first if we play to our potential.”
In the circle, junior Tara Tackett has already shown improvement both on the rubber and at the plate. Currently this season she’s hitting at a .526 clip with a homer, 13 RBI and 20 runs scored while posting a 6-5 record in the circle with a 3.65 ERA over 61.1 innings.
“The thing about Tara is she just goes out and competes. She doesn’t have a gas pedal and no matter what she does, she goes hard. I want her to challenge herself and not be afraid to go inside on hitters and have that belief that she can throw it past people.”
Eryn Pennartz returns as the Trojanettes backstop after earning the starting spot last season. She’s shown tremendous growth at the plate, hitting .487 with 13 RBI and 13 runs scored. After throwing out just seven runners a season ago, she’s cut down 10 already through the first 13 games.
“Eryn has grown a ton. Last year we didn’t throw out very many runners and this year she’s already thrown out 10. That’s been a lot better. That’s the thing with this team is we’re just going to get better every day and that’s the way Eryn has approached this season.”
First baseman Keaira Fillingim is someone else that has come up with timely hits through the early goings of the season. The junior is hitting at an even .300 clip with nine RBI and 12 runs scored while showing an elite eye at the plate with 11 walks.
“Keiara’s biggest thing is confidence. She has some shining spots at the plate. She can hit the ball hard. It’s just making sure that we have that consistency on every single pitch but she’s getting there.”
You would be hard pressed to find a better middle infield at the Class 2A level than what the Trojanettes have to offer in second baseman Bree Kirk and shortstop Camryn Latham. The 1-2 punch in the Windthorst lineup combines for 47 hits, 24 RBI, 40 runs scored and 27 stolen bases.
“Both of those girls are very hard outs at the plate. When Bree puts the ball on the ground, it’s going to be extremely hard to throw her out. Camryn does a great job of doing whatever is asked of her. We need to be sure that we’re not trying to do too much. We have great hitters behind them.”
Third base and right field has been a platoon of Bri Hoff and Alauna Beyer through the early portion of the season. Deatherage plans on leaning on the hot glove at the time on which player holds down the hot corner.
“It’ll come down to who can make the plays and who’s performing well at that time. Bri had a couple shots hit at her in Petrolia. Either one is good in whatever spot we put them in, whether it be in the outfield or third base.”
Marisa Frazier mans left field for Windthorst, joining Latham as one of the two seniors on the team. Through nine games this season, she’s hitting at a .500 clip for the Trojanettes in the heart of the order.
“We need that senior leadership out of Marisa. She’s a softball only athlete because she’s in ag and a lot of other things. We just need that senior leadership and her making plays. At the plate, she’s one that can provide some power and drive in some runs.”
Rylee Wolf serves as the captain of the outfield and covers a lot of ground in centerfield. She’s shown some pop in her bat at the plate, hitting a pair of homers along with 17 RBI to pair with a .364 average.
“The thing about Rylee is she’s stubborn. She’s someone that not a lot phases her. She’s a constant and someone that’s very even-kiltered. She makes big plays. She can make some amazing things happen in the outfield with diving catches and covering a lot of ground. She can provide some power and drive in some runs. She’s very fast on the basepaths. As a team, we’re very fast on the basepaths and she adds to that. She does not play scared.”
Rounding out the Windthorst squad is the lone newcomer on the team, Lexsey McLemore.
“Lexsey is batting as the DP for me as a freshman. She saw an opportunity to hit in the lineup and started going to hitting lessons in October. She’ll get better and better as she sees more pitching. She’s where we were last year so she’s got some catching up to do but I know she’ll put in the work.”
Much like last year, if this Windthorst team can find consistency, they will be a tough out in the postseason once again.
