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Eagles earn all-state honors
Hewitt named to first team, Bratcher third
Two South Putnam softball players were honored recently by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association for their outstanding play this spring.
Recent Eagle graduate Katie Hewitt was named to the Class 2A All-State first team, while freshman catcher Drew Bratcher was named to the third team.
Hewitt, who will play for Marian University next year, batted .483 this spring with 10 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 37 RBI and 29 runs scored.
She was honored to receive the all-star award.
"Receiving All-State is such a big honor," said Hewitt, who was also recently named all-Western Indiana Conference. "It has been one of my goals ever since I was younger, and I couldn't be more elated to end my senior year with this achievement."
Hewitt has many people to thank for helping her to achieve all of her goals and honors this season.
"I couldn't be more thankful for the many coaches I've had throughout my entire softball career," she said. "They've grown me into the softball player I am today, and I couldn't be more appreciative for them sharing their passion for the game with me.
"And most importantly, I'm beyond thankful for my parents," Hewitt added. "For 10 years, they've sat through countless softball tournaments in whatever mood the weather may be in, and at the end of the day they're always my number one fans. This honor just depicts the many great coaches and people I've encountered in life because of softball."
South Putnam coach Jamie Steffy knows he will miss Hewitt next spring.
"Katie had an awesome senior year," he said. "But what a lot of people don't know is she played the last third of the season with a serious shoulder injury. But with the type of character she has, she never once missed practice or asked to sit out a game."
Hewitt endured the pain, and was still able to succeed on the field.
"She never took herself out of any drills we did," Steffy added. "When asked how it was, she always replied 'I'm good' or 'it's fine'. She was always ready to play, even though we knew she was in a lot of pain. Katie Hewitt is a winner, plain and simple."
Steffy is happy that Hewitt received this honor that he feels she greatly deserves.
"Katie has been one of the best softball players in this part of the state the last couple of years," he said. "Every coach and team knows not only about the quality of softball player she is, but what an even better young lady she is. She is very polite, a quiet leader, who very accountable for her actions both on and off the field.
"There is not a better role model for a young girl softball player/athlete to model their game and life after, both on and off the field, than Katie Hewitt."
Bratcher compiled huge numbers in her first varsity season with a .526 batting average, 22 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 40 RBI and 39 runs scored.
"Drew had an awesome year for us," Steffy said. "She is our vocal leader and with her being just a freshman and coming in and playing softball at the high level that she did for us is really outstanding."
Steffy is looking forward to having three more years with her on the Eagle squad.
"We feel we have just scratched the surface on how good Drew can be, even though she is pretty good right now," he said. "She will just continue to get better and better for South Putnam softball. She has a very bright future and one that we are excited about.
"She is a quality person both on and off the field and is a role model for others to follow, and she is very well liked by her teammates and coaches."
Steffy says that Bratcher gives 100 percent effort "all the time" regardless of what is taking place.
"It doesn't matter if it is in practice or games, she gives you everything she has," he said. "She is very competitive and wants to have a high rate of success in everything she does. What is probably the most impressive thing about Drew is despite her age, her overall knowledge of softball is at a very, very high level."
Steffy says Bratcher is a huge asset to the team concept he preaches to the Eagles.
"She understands not only how to make plays, but help others make plays, and do the little things that matter that helps teams win ball games," he said. "She is an unselfish team player, and she will do anything to help her team win."