PELLA—There are the usual preseason lineup questions to answer but as he enters Year 38 of his storied Central College softball career, NFCA Hall of Fame coach George Wares has learned to narrow his focus to the 43-foot span between the pitching rubber and home plate.
With an NCAA Division III record 1,178 wins, 30 NCAA tournament berths and four national titles, Wares knows what success looks like, and even with some significant graduation losses, he sees reason for excitement from a young Central club in 2022.
“The one thing I always look for is how good our pitching and catching are going to be,” he said. “And probably every coach in the country would say that. The more optimistic you are about those two positions, the more optimistic you tend to be about things in general.”
Starters return at six positions, significantly including pitchers Sydni Huisman (junior, Treynor) and Morgan Schaben (junior, Harlan) along with catchers Madison Farrington (junior, Marshalltown, East Marshall HS) and Cassie Severson (junior, Ankeny, Centennial HS).
“When you’re solid in those two spots, you’ve got a chance to win quite a few games,” Wares said.
Last year’s club was 20-14 and missed the NCAA tournament for one of the few times in Wares’ 37 seasons. With the cancellation of the 2020 tourney due to the global pandemic, the Dutch have now gone two years without a postseason appearance, an itch this year’s squad is eager to scratch.
“We’ve always been about the process but we’ve also said the process has to lead you somewhere and, for us, we hope that’s a postseason run,” Wares said.
Pitchers
Huisman shouldered an especially heavy load last year as Schaben battled injury, throwing 139.1 innings. She posted a 13-11 mark with 119 strikeouts, 51 walks and a 2.81 earned run average.
“If she improves the way we think she can, she’ll be one of the better pitchers in the region,” Wares said.
Schaben was 5-3 with a 4.27 ERA, walking 34 and fanning 54 over 62.1 innings.
“We need Morgan to get back to what she showed her freshman year,” Wares said. “Obviously she had some injuries and has some injuries now, but if we get her healthy and she gets her confidence back and believing in herself the way that we believe in her, we think we’ve got a very good pitcher.”
The Dutch also anticipate increased contributions from sophomore Emma Neu (Rochelle Park, N.J., Hackensack HS). She threw 5.1 innings as a rookie but flashed promise. Like many of her classmates, Neu’s development was hampered by the lack of a normal junior varsity schedule last year due to the pandemic, but she has improved nonetheless.
“She was kind of a pleasant surprise,” Wares said. “She’s definitely throwing with a little more velocity. I think she has a better awareness of how to pitch and not just throw. We’re excited about her, moving forward.”
Freshman Chloe Dougherty (Alleman, North Polk HS) may not make an immediate impact, but is in the mix for a possible varsity spot.
“We think she could become a good pitcher at some point,” Wares said.
Catcher
Farrington saw the most action behind the plate last year, appearing in 29 games, but Severson was a part-time starter. Farrington hit .156 but has power potential, with five doubles, a homer and 11 RBIs last year.
Farrington missed fall workouts as she spent the semester on Central’s Chicago program, which could pay dividends athletically, Wares said.
“I think it was beneficial for her to go, as a smaller town kid in a different environment,” he said. “I think sometimes the benefit you get from an athletics standpoint is the maturity you develop as a person. I think it also made her appreciate softball more. I think she really missed it, maybe even more than she thought she would.
“Behind the plate, I’m going to say the same thing about her as I do Cassie. Defensively, we’re in a really, really good spot. Now we need one or both of them to step up offensively. Farrington has some power but with a strikeout rate that’s up a little too much and Cassie needs to show a bit more, so that’s the key.
“But they handle our pitchers well. The communication between them and myself has improved a lot in terms of getting the game going in the right flow for our pitchers and they’re both very tough to run on. We feel like we’re going to have a lot of success in limiting the base stealing against us.”
Backing them up, freshman Emma Lenox (Fremont, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont HS) could have a bright future as a catcher.
“She’s someone we really liked in high school and she’s kind of grown through the fall,” Wares said.
First base
After reporting late due to competing in basketball last year, Megan Stuhr (sophomore, Sigourney) quickly opened some eyes, particularly at the plate. She hit .388 with eight doubles, two homers and 20 RBI, gaining second-team all-conference honors.
“She’s one of the best (first basemen) offensively,” Wares said. “Obviously we put her there to get her bat in the lineup and it was an adjustment, but she’s become a better defender. She receives the ball better and she’s got a strong enough arm and those are the kind of things you look for.”
After an injury-plagued high school career, Jocy Timmerman (sophomore, Fort Dodge, Saint Edmond HS) has worked her way into the picture at first base as well.
“
Jocy’s as good or maybe even better defensively but is not quite there offensively yet,” Wares said. “But she’s improved a lot and is another one that might be in the mix as a DP or pinch-hitter.”
Second base
Central’s most experienced infielder is second baseman Lauren Birt (senior, Ankeny, Centennial HS), a three-year starter. She received the team’s Most Improved Player Award in 2020 and Defensive Player of the Year Award last season. She hit .273, stealing 11 bases and scoring 19 runs.
“She’s getting better at commanding the strike zone and understanding when she can slap, power slap or bunt,” Wares said. “She’ll be a big part of our offense.”
Wares is looking at freshman Anya Kistenmacher (Holstein, Ridge View HS) as the first option for a back-up.
“Anya was probably one of the most pleasant surprises in the fall,” Wares said. “She doesn’t have any position where she clearly fits best but she’s definitely going to be in the mix (for a varsity spot) because she gives us a back-up at multiple positions. She swings the bat and has well above average speed so will be one of our top pinch-runners if she’s not on the field otherwise.”
Shortstop
There’s a gaping void at shortstop where the graduated Daria Parchert wielded one of the best gloves in program history. But Wares has plenty of confidence in freshman Haley Bach (Council Bluffs, Lewis Central HS) handling the job.
“That’s why we brought her here,” Wares said. “She needs to believe in herself as much we believe in her and understand that she’s not trying to be any of the shortstops of Central past. She’s quick to the ball and has a decent arm that we think got better in the offseason. We believe she’s going to be a really good hitter. She can swing away with some power and also lay the bunt down. And I think the fact that she’s going to be sandwiched in between two veteran players will help her a lot.”
Third base
Birt will be next to Bach at second base and on the other side at third, Wares is high on sophomore Carson Fisk (junior, Searsboro, Lynnville-Sully HS), who joined the squad last spring after two seasons of basketball and made an immediate impression. She filled in capably at shortstop when Parchert was injured, and eventually saw time at third base. She also hit a surprising .387 in 31 at-bats.
“She’s just kind of a sponge,” Wares said. “She just wants to get better. She’s going to have to cover more ground playing with a freshman shortstop and I think she understands that. She’s got a really good arm and the other thing is that I think Carson knows who she is. Offensively, we’ve got to get a little bit better with her bunting game because she’s got too much speed not to utilize that, and use her ability to shorten up and punch the ball through. The more she believes in that concept, the better of an offensive threat she’ll be for us.”
Among the other options is freshman Alexa Anderson, who appears varsity-ready offensively, Wares said.
“She has a chance at that DP spot if she makes (the varsity) or could be one of our hitters coming off the bench that provides some power,” he said.
Outfield
Last year’s starter Emma Johnson (junior, Davenport, Assumption Catholic HS) is moving to center field. The Dutch are looking at moving former second baseman Megan Doty (junior, Grinnell) to fill the hole in left field.
“We felt like we were getting some really good offense from Megan and wanted to find a way to get her in the lineup,” Wares said. “We’ve seen enough that we think she can be a solid left fielder.”
Senior Kellie Prince (Linden, Panorama HS) has seen time in left field and is also capable, although she has value as one of the team’s top pinch-runners as well.
“Kellie could be a defensive replacement,” Wares said.
Graduated center fielder Sara Tallman was a pandemic anomaly, becoming Central’s first five-year starter. A CoSIDA Academic All-America honoree, she left with the school’s career stolen base record. But Johnson has all the qualities needed as an outfield leader, Wares said.
“She will be more than fine,” he said. “The big thing we tried to tell her is you don’t have to replace Sara Tallman, you just have to be the best version of you. She tracks the ball well and seems to be comfortable in center field. I think she likes taking on the additional leadership that position might require, especially when there’s a little inexperience to her right in the left field position.”
Johnson hit .289, scoring 21 runs and driving in eight.
“I think she’s going to keep getting better offensively,” Wares said. “She can do all three in terms of hit with power, slap and bunt and again, utilize what she can based on what the defense gives. I think she did a pretty good job of that toward the end of last year.”
Wares likes freshman Emma Jensen (Earlham) as a back-up.
“We think she’s a pretty good one,” he said. “She’s definitely ahead defensively and I think she could swing over to left. She played both center and left in high school.”
Wares is also intrigued by freshman Ashlynn Ellenbecker (Tama, South Tama HS).
“Physically she’s very skilled,” he said. “She’s going to be a player for us, it’s just a question of when.”
In right field, converted shortstop Franie Burnett (sophomore, Ankeny, Centennial HS) emerged as the team’s top offensive weapon. She hit a team-high .393 and was the team’s top base stealer with 15, yet also led in RBIs with 25, hitting four doubles, four triples and two homers while drawing 12 walks. She made just one error in her first season as an outfielder. But Burnett has had to overcome a late-season injury.
“A healthy Franie Burnett is as good as any right fielder around,” Wares said. “It was an option to move her back to short but Coach (Alicia) O’Brien has done a really good job with her and some of the plays she made were pretty astounding when you think about the fact that she’s not played in the outfield before.
“And she’s the full package offensively. She’s got some power and she can obviously run.”
Designated player
The Dutch are still sorting out possibilities at designated player. Much depends on what the rest of the lineup looks like. Wares thinks Lenox, Anderson and Timmerman will get the first look although he’s intrigued by using pitchers Huisman and Schaben as the Dutch did on occasion previously, as it allows for lineup flexibility.
Wares said there are additional players who could potentially help but some collateral damage from the pandemic-shortened 2021 season was the lack of junior varsity games and the resulting player growth opportunities. He cited outfielder Lindsey Wilson (sophomore, Fort Collins, Colo., Fossil Ridge HS), second baseman Parker Wilson (sophomore, Fort Collins, Colo., Fossil Ridge HS) and outfielder Skylar Hopkins (sophomore, Norfolk, Neb.) in particular.
“Any of them could be (on the varsity),” he said. “I think they’re all three good players. We just need to give them enough time to develop.”
He also cited senior pitchers Sabrina Tallman (Pella) and Emma Snyder (Carroll) as well as senior catcher Meredith Mahoney (Downers Grove, Ill., South HS), who will serve as student manager this year due to injury, for their devotion to Central softball despite rarely getting time on the field.
“It’s a testament not only to them but to the other players on the team and what the program means to them that they are so committed,” he said.
Pinch-runners
An integral component of Central’s roster construction each year is a deep corps of pinch-runners. Prince has the most experience and will be joined by Jensen and Kistenmacher as primary options. Other possibilities include Ellenbecker, Hopkins, Parker Wilson and Lindsey Wilson.
The Dutch expect to lean on their aggressive baserunning style even more than usual this year in an attempt to jump start an offense that was stymied at times last year and lacks big bats. Central swiped 85 bases last year but has topped the 100-steal mark 20 times since 1990, most recently in 2018.
“I think we’re going to be different,” Wares said. “We’re still going to have to manufacture runs and we’re going to rely on our speed because we’re definitely not going to be a 20-home run-type team. But I think if everybody understands our approach to hitting and they listen to Coach O’Brien in terms of what she wants them to do in the cage, I think we’ve got a shot to be a pretty solid offensive team. And the beauty of it is, that formula tends to work even when you face some of the better pitchers.
The season
Strength of schedule is seldom a concern for Central and the 2021 campaign opens with a jolt at the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic at Columbus, Georgia March 4-6, featuring many of the top teams in the nation. It’s the ninth Leadoff Classic since the event was launched in 2001 and the Dutch have played in each, but seldom with a slate as daunting as this year’s, highlighted by a March 6 clash with defending NCAA champ Virginia Wesleyan University, ranked No. 2 in the NFCA preseason poll, along with a March 5 contest with No. 5 Salisbury University (Md.). The Dutch were 2-4 the last time the tourney was held in Columbus, in 2013, with a squad that eventually reached the NCAA finals. But Central is coming off one of its better showings, going 4-1 and tying for second at the 2020 tourney in Tucson, Arizona, although it also served as a season-ending event when the remainder of the slate was canceled days later due to the pandemic.
“I love the Leadoff but it’s a challenge,” Wares said. “We’ve had Leadoffs where you walk off of there after six games and you’ve got players looking at each other going ‘Whoa.’ And then some years you walk out like we did two years ago and say, ‘We’re pretty good.’
“But you just never know because the competition is so good and this is arguably the toughest schedule we’ve ever played in the Leadoff.”
The slate is less intimidating, but still competitive, when the team makes its first-ever appearance at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida over spring break March 14-19. The Dutch also have later non-conference doubleheaders with regional contenders Bethel University (Minn.), Fontbonne University (Mo.), the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Competition in the American Rivers will be as intense as ever. The league’s strength remains its balance.
“Coe won it last year and has a lot back, so you have to lean towards them but everybody’s going to be improved,” Wares said. “I’ve said for years now, that when I get arguments from people across the country about which league is best that our first-place team might not be as good as the first-place team in some leagues but our fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth or ninth-place teams are better than those in the other leagues.”
Aside from the ever-burning desire to return to the NCAA playoff field, Wares is excited to be able to play a full schedule for the first time since 2019. In some ways, last year’s modified schedule was tougher to bear than the canceled 2020 campaign, he said.
“Last year was worse because you were here, you were there, are we going to play, are we not going to play?,” Wares said. “It was the worse season I’ve ever experienced. The players didn’t really get an opportunity of experiencing what we are and to really develop. That’s why I have so many questions. I’m not sure what we’re going to look like when we get on the field and I’m sure other teams are saying the same thing”
But even after 37 years, that hasn’t diminished Wares’ passion for the game and for helping his athletes.
“If anything, I think it’s made me appreciate it even more,” he said. “You take for granted that you’re going to have a season, that you’re going to have a spring trip and then when you don’t, you develop more of an appreciation.”
And despite the program’s 30 NCAA tournament appearances, most of the squad has yet to embark on the tourney road he desperately wants to lead them to.
“When you look at the people in uniform, we probably only have a couple players who have experienced the postseason,” Wares said. “That’s a challenge, too. Normally we’ve got a lot of players to say to (new) players, ‘OK, here’s what it’s like, here’s what we’ve got to do.’ We don’t have that right now.”
It’s a challenge Wares gratefully embraces.
“I’m looking forward to coaching this team,” he said. “There are some question marks but I think that’s why we coach, to try to get the players to believe in themselves and develop them, and try to stay true to our word by getting those JV players the games they want, too.”
Credit: Source link
