Hatchets Ready For State Softball Tourney Play Friday

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Published on May 30 2018 1:16 pm
Last Updated on June 1 2018 7:10 am
Written by Millie Lange

Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg is ready to compete in the Class 1A State Softball Tournament.

They're a fun-loving bunch who have good chemistry but when it's game time . . . Coach Craig Moffett's crew means business.

Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg is ready to head to the Class 1A State Softball Tournament Friday and their top goals . . . are to be loose, be focused and bring home a state title.

"Our No. 1 goal are to be loose and be focused," said Coach Craig Moffett. "I want us to treat this like a business trip and not a vacation."

This is the first time ever in the history of either Windsor or Stewardson-Strasburg schools that a softball team has reached state tournament play.

"This is my first time doing anything like this, but a lot of these girls have gone farther in volleyball," said Moffett. "We want to have a great time but when it comes game time, we want to lock down and be competitive."

So far the Hatchets have done just that, winning 26 times in 30 games this season including winning the National Trail Conference Tournament title and the NTC regular season championship with a 7-0 record.

Coach Moffett talked about his team members.

"Carson Cole, a junior, has been a phenomnal lead-off hitter. Her average is .407, she has an on-base percentage over .500 and leads with 13 runs scored. She is our stolen base leader. She does a good job taking pitches and plays good defense in centerfield.

"Megan Schlechte, a junior, is our No. 2 hitter typically and she also pitches for us. She came on in relief Monday and did great. She also has an on-base percentage over .500. She leads the team in home runs with four. She's done a great job against tough pitching. She bunts sometimes as well. She has pop and is a good bunter. She plays third base when she's not pitching. She was great in vollyeball as well. Just a very good athlete.

"Calla Roney, a junior, is our No. 3 hitter. She has a .484 average on-base, has a lot of pop and is just a good overall hitter. She has pitched over a 100 innings and done well with strikeouts with 188 this season. She and Megan flip-flop. Both are good defensive players.

"Mackenzi Tabbert, is also a junior and is our catcher. She is just like the two girls before her. Good pop and an aggressive hitter. She's had 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs. She's a good base runner. Well, they're all good base runners. She does a good job framing and throwing as a catcher.

"Hannah Hayes moved from outfield to shortstop. She's a freshman. She has a lot of speed. She's a good bunter and has a good approach at the plate. She has some power as well with six doubles and four triples. She's just done a good job.

"Madison Everett, one of two seniors, plays first base. She's a real steady defensive player. Offensively she is a good bunter. She had a big squeeze play against Cumberland. She's just a good, solid contact hitter and she doesn't strike out a lot.

"Mackinzee Reynolds, a sophomore, had a home run against Cumberland and a huge two RBI double against Calhoun. She has come on strong lately. She's been a good hitter in the seventh spot. She and Madison keep the team loose and have a lot of fun.

"Ava Bennett, a sophomore, is our second baseman. She's fast, a good bunter and good to have at the bottom of the order. She's hitting over .300. She'll take a walk every now and then.

"Katrina Davis, a junior, plays a good game. Her on-base percentage is .385. She's a good girl to round up the lineup. She plays left field. You can count on her to be there when you need someone to back up a play.

"Our other senior, Taylor Rentfro is out right now with a knee injury. She played third base and had a .319 batting average with six doubles and two home runs. We miss her in the lineup.

"Right now I'm playing only those nine. But other team members include Sydney Taber, Mackenzie Brown, Theresa Davis, Anna Schlechte, Kassie Vonderheide, Makenna Taber, Paig Rentfro and Maggie Kelly."

The Hatchets are on a six-game winning streak including over Ramsey (19-0) and Nokomis (9-0) in the Nokomis Regional, Moweaqua Central A&M (10-0) and Cumberland (5-0) in the St. Anthony Sectional and Hardin Calhoun (7-2) in the Springfield Super-Sectional.

"They're just a bunch of girls who are a bunch of good teammates," said Coach Moffett about his team's season. "We have two really good pitchers and our defense has been very good. Overall the girls are making plays. The girls in the dugout are loud and enthusiastic. We have good team chemistry. What I love about this team the most is they are enthusiastic and we like to have a lot of fun."

The Hatchets play at 12:30 p.m. Friday against Argenta-Oreana. The opening contest features London Mills Spoon River Valley Co-op against Goreville at 10 a.m. The winners advance to the championship game Saturday at 12:30 while the losers will play for third place at 10 a.m.

"Argenta-Oreana is a good team," said Moffett. "They have a senior and a freshman pitcher who are both good. A couple of their girls will be playing college softball. They have a lot of speed at the top of the order."

The Bombers come into the game with a 19-8 record.. The team won the LeRoy Regional beating Decatur St. Teresa (14-1) and LeRoy (3-1), then took the Dwight Sectional by beating Catlin Salt Fork (11-0) and Dwight (3-2). They entered the State Tournament by downing Somonauk (4-2) at the Bloomington Super-Sectional. This is also their first time to appear at the State Tournament.