WOODWARD — The softball program at Woodward-Granger is a rich one, and one not used to the kind of struggles the team endured in 2018.
Head coach Owen Hunter’s squad was lacking all but a smattering of experienced varsity players and no pitchers ready for the rigors of a WCAC schedule, with a 4-30 overall record and 2-14 mark in league play the result.
Injuries and limited availability will hamper the Hawks again this season, but the players returning have now been “around the block” as it were, and should be better prepared. Hunter had praised his team last summer for keeping a positive attitude and said the 2019 squad was already showing the kind of dogged determination he had hoped for.
Sophomore Ava Petersen and freshman Rian Jamison will both toe the rubber for the Hawks. Petersen threw 70-1/3 innings and Jamison 60 frames last season. They will likely be joined by eighth-grader Brylee Bice as the season progresses.
The W-G defense will need to improve, as the team allowed 155 earned runs, but also 120 due to errors. Hawk pitchers issued 96 walks while striking out 74.
The offense produced a combined team batting average of .271, ripping 27 doubles, five triples and four home runs. The Hawks scored 136 runs and were successful on 41-of-53 stolen base attempts.
Freshman Emma Anderson hit .380 with 35 hits and 14 RBIs. She scored 23 runs and stole 14-of-16 bases and is expected to return to catching duties.
Maddi Danti (.338, 22 hits) and Natalie Weaver (.253, 24 hits, five doubles, 17 runs) were also key parts of the attack. Chloe Houge (.314, 27 hits, 22 walks) is currently injured but will be an important addition to the lineup, and defensively in the outfield, upon her return.
Junior Katelyn Bandstra (.372, 35 hits, 20 runs) and senior Alissa Smeltzer (.260, 27 hits, four doubles) will provide a needed veteran presence.
Bella Milosevich, Kenzie Carrick, Katelyn Scharlau and others will all see plenty of playing time. The Hawks have a full schedule, with 40 games on the slate, allowing for entire roster to earn their shots at crucial roles.
W-G opens play tonight at Carroll before visiting Panorama Tuesday. Earlham visits W-G for a varsity doubleheader Thursday, with the team visiting Southeast Warren Friday and the Centerville Tournament Saturday.
