is looking for sectional victories.
The team may be inexperienced
but they are not lacking in leadership.
Warrior Softball
Since there were no seniors on the
“We’ve definitely taken steps
squad, the coaches decided to have the
forward,” assistant coach Mike Antal
said. This statement not only describes players vote on which of their teammates should be te am captains. Juniors
this season so far, but overall for the
program as well. The softball program Michelle Mowery and Kayla Yoder
were bestowed the honors and they
had been in decline for a few years
are great role models for everyone to
but it looks like they are getting back
follow. Coach Antal also said Kaylene
on their feet and then some. “We’re
Kaufman has emerged as an “on the
starting to get a few more athletes
than we’ve had in the past,” said Antal. field” leader. He also mentioned Rachel
Johns is doing outstanding defensively
The team actually has no seniors this
at third base and is leading the team in
year and the lack of members marks
the rebuilding process currently taking defensive assists.
This year’s team does not really
place. The team is now very young and
inexperienced. However, that does not have those one or two players that are
far and away better than everyone else.
mean they’re not talented. The growWhen they have success, it’s because
ing pains of the team are still evident
they all do well as a team. “Our team is
though. This should be expected and
definitely like a family and I think that
encouraged because the team will
is what has contributed to our success
be able to learn from their mistakes.
this year. We all get along and we laugh
“With a young team, it is sometimes
difficult because they are still develop- a lot! We have started having more
team nights this year and have been
ing their mental capacity and striving
able to get together outside of school
to develop their natural talent,” said
and off the softball diamond. This has
Antal.
helped strengthen our friendships
“We are very strong defensively,”
which in turn benefit our team chemisAntal said. This has been a key to the
team this season as well as their speed. try as well,” said junior Olivia Miller.
The biggest highlight of the season
“Something we’ve done well has been
capitalizing on our offensive opportu- so far came in a conference game
against Fremont. The Lady Warriors
nities as well,” said Antal. In a game
jumped out to a 5-0 lead and then
against Goshen, the Lady Warriors
Fremont fought back to tie it up durscored three runs before their first
ing the middle innings. However, the
hit. That is getting the job done even
girls battled back and scored three
beyond small ball standards.
runs. Two of them came on a homerun
The team is hitting the ball a lot
better than last season too. The teams by Brooke Yoder. The other came on
an R.B.I. bunt. Another big win came
overall batting average is up .100
points since last season and their extra against conference opponent Central
Noble. “We’ve struggled to win conbase hits have been a nice surprise.
Softball is a much different game than ference games in the past and this is
the first time we’ve sat at .500 in the
baseball and the more compact field
makes it difficult to get extra base hits. conference this late into the season,”
This is just another instance where the said Antal.
Coming up, the girls have the
teams speed kicks in.
NECC tournament in the last week of
The improved hitting can be attribApril. They will play against Angola to
uted to the coaching staff. According
to Antal, the team is working more on start the tournament. “Our goal is to
be ready for the start of sectionals,”
their hitting during practice because
stated Antal. “That has been our goal
the team has such natural ability on
since the start of practice.”
the defensive side of the ball. And
This may be a young team, but
as the old saying goes, defense wins
it is one filled with enthusiasm and
championships. In this case, the team
Sports Scoop ... cont. from pg . 49
character. The coaching staff will
make sure the squad is ready for the
post-season as well. At the end of the
season, you may find the Lady Warriors
doing something they haven’t done in
the past few seasons; competing for a
sectional title.
Warrior Baseball
As of April 24, the Warrior baseball team was riding a four game winning streak. “We started off the season
a little rough but stuck it out and built a
nice little win streak. We’ve fought as a
team through the past couple of weeks,”
said senior catcher Darren Stillson.
The team started out the season
at 1-5 after their first few games were
against much larger opponents. Westview has had a tough out of conference
schedule over the past few years.
The fighting that the Warriors have
done has stemmed from an injury to
senior Jared Berkey. “Berkey’s hand
injury has been a significant blow to
the team. By losing him, we lost a great
player and a lot of experience. He is
still helping out the team with his leadership during practice and games,” said
Stillson. The team has stayed generally
healthy this year with Berkey’s injury
being the only significant one.
The slow start could also be attributed to the team getting used to
the new system introduced by new
Head Coach, Jason Rahn. “Coach Rahn
has been great,” Stillson said enthusiastically. “He really emphasizes our
philosophy to get as much work done
as possible. And we all have very good
player-coach relationships with him.”
The young guys have also really gone to bat for the Warriors this
season. The sophomore class is going
to have a lot more to accomplish on the
diamond in the future. Jamar Weaver
has been their number one pitcher this
season and also is leading the team in
doubles. Judah Zickafoose is an intimidating player with the ability to hit a
home run every time he steps up to the
plate. Tarrin Beachy has been a “nice
surprise,” this season said Stillson.
Beachy even belted two homeruns in
the same game.
continued on page 53
The Hometown Treasure · May ‘12 · pg 51