Fun season ends for young GHS softball team

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Greencastle sophomore Delanie Stoltey makes an over-the-shoulder catch in a game earlier this year. Stoltey had a base hit and several assists on Monday. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

ELLETTSVILLE -- The season came to an end for the Greencastle softball team with a 13-0 loss to Brown County in the first round of the Edgewood Sectional, but the year was, in many ways, a success.

The Tiger Cubs (6-15, 1-9 WCC) had just one senior this year (injured outfielder Ellen Gobert) so anything beyond "rebuilding" was more than could be expected.

They competed each game, improved throughout the season, found a few future stars and had fun.

"It was fun. I had a good year. We grew as a family and we grew as a team," GHS coach Dave Keller said. "I think it's just because they were so young and eager to learn. We had one senior that just fell right in with them and led."

Among the future stars are Monday's starter, freshman Madi Fauvergue, and freshman catcher Kenlee Johnson.

Fauvergue was knocked out in the first inning after giving up six runs, but battled back to make plays on defense, as a first baseman, and offense, when she drew a walk in the fourth inning.

"I knew we had a tough draw," Keller said. "The wheels fell off in the first inning, we made a couple mishaps in the field.

"If you don't get those outs, you're just giving teams at-bats. If you give a team like that at-bats, they're going to make you pay, and they made us pay."

Hope Scanland hit a two-out double to get things going in the fourth and Fauvergue's walk was the first sign of a potential rally for the Tiger Cubs, but a strikeout ended the threat.

GHS went down 1-2-3 in the fifth to end the game.

Sophomore second baseman Delanie Stoltey had a base hit.

Courtney Adams came on in relief of Fauvergue, pitching 3.1 innings and striking out three. She walked just one batter.

"That's a good team," Keller said. "They're going to go a ways this year. ...

Gobert injured her knee during the Putnam County Tournament and her absence left a hole in Greencastle's defense and lineup.

Keller said his team missed Gobert, it's emotional and vocal leader, but that it's nice to know he has so many players back and coming up from youth.

"It was a big blow for us when we lost one of our leaders," he said. But, all-in-all, I can't be disappointed with the year. If you would have told me we'd end up with the paddle and win the JV county this year (as they did Saturday), I'd have said, 'I'll take it.'

"I really would have. With all these 14- and 15-year-olds coming in, I had no idea what we were going to be. I know what we've got coming from eighth grade next year, and I know what we've got coming back, and I'm happy with it.

"When you look at all those kids in the dugout that played tonight, if they want to, they'll be back next year. I don't have to say goodbye to anybody but Ellen, and I've already said my goodbyes to her."

Greencastle freshman Kenlee Johnson drives the ball in a game earlier this season. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)



IHSAA Sectional
First round -- at Edgewood
Greencastle..................000 00 -- 0 2 3 3
Brown County..............630 4X -- 13 14 0 4

WP -- McDonald
LP -- Fauvergue

2B -- Ellis 2, Johnson, Southerland 2, Anderson

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: