By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
This year’s Hamilton Heights softball team will be a youth movement.
The Huskies’ roster is predominantly made up of underclassmen. Of the 15 girls on the team, six of them are sophomores and five are freshmen. Heights coach Landi Lockwood admits that this year’s team will be young and inexperienced, and will be playing a pretty tough schedule.
“We graduated five seniors from last year’s team who were key players over the last few seasons,” said Lockwood. “It’s a work in progress but all the girls are working hard to fill spots for us.”
The good news is the experienced players on the team are girls that know how to win. That includes two seniors, Taylor Ewing and Jessica Kaurich, that have been varsity players since their freshman year. Ewing and Kaurich were on the Huskies teams that won back-to-back regional championships in 2015 and 2016.
Ewing, in fact, was Heights’ leading hitter last season, batting at a .420 clip. Kaurich led the Huskies in runs batted in last year with 15 and also had the most home runs with four. Both seniors had 29 hits, which tied them for first place (with now-graduated Claire Schildmeier). Kaurich had the most doubles with six and Ewing hit the most triples, totaling four.
Also back are two juniors. Adyson Baber was one of Heights’ pitchers last season, and did well in the circle, with an 8-4 record and 44 strikeouts. Lia Williams also returns, she played in eight games last season.
“Some girls are playing positions they have never played before and some are having to learn a couple of positions well depending on who we will have on the mound and who we play any given night,” said Lockwood. “Our two seniors (Jessica Kaurich and Taylor Ewing) are great leaders on and off the field so they are helping bring along the younger girls.”
Two sophomores also return with varsity experience. Bayleigh Runner actually brings back the most RBIs from last year (13) after hitting .343 last season. Kylie Schakel also played a significant amount of time last season.
“Kaurich will probably do most of the catching with freshman Aliyah Dorsey as her backup,” said Lockwood. ” Ewing will continue as shortstop and will probably have some innings in the outfield. Adyson Baber will return to some innings on the mound as well as the outfield.”
“Helping out on the mound could be freshman Hayley Greene and possibly freshman Kelsie Albright,” said Lockwood. “Bayleigh Runner will return at second base and could also see some innings in the outfield.”
Heights will get going right away, playing three games next week before heading out for Spring Break. The Huskies host Zionsville on Monday, followed by away games at Frankton on Wednesday and Lapel next Friday (March 23).
“Even though we have a younger, inexperienced group, they are hard-working group,” said Lockwood. “I am excited to see how they progress throughout the season.”
Heights roster
Seniors: Taylor Ewing, Jessica Kaurich.
Juniors: Adyson Baber, Lia Williams.
Sophomores: Meredith Diller, Riley Engle, Jesse-Leigh Nomdo, Karlee Purkey, Bayleigh Runner, Kylie Schakel.
Freshmen: Kelsie Albright, Kat Cox, Aliyah Dorsey, Hayley Greene, Sydney Massicotte.