Jack-of-all-trades Gottsch leads Lady Trojans
The Hillsboro Trojan softball team should be a balanced team looking to improve on a 10-10 2009 campaign. The Trojans won their regional last year and lost in the first round of the state tournament.
The Trojans boast a lineup of talented hitters — three Hillsboro batters posted an average over .350. Franny Gotsch hit .463, Amy Bartel .373, and Taylor Nikkel .372.
The Trojans should also hit for power with Stephanie Sanders .519 slugging percentage in the middle of the order.
Hillsboro should maintain a team of slick fielders as well.
Nikkel is the team’s most experienced outfielder.
“We build our outfield around her,” Head Softball Coach Stephanie Sinclair said.
Sinclair said that Sanders and freshman Tena Loewen show good range in the infield and could be available to play in the outfield.
Gottsch and Courtney Weber both split time between the mound and second base. The two fielders combined to commit one error all season at second and they posted a team ERA of 4.35 as pitchers.
“Our pitching staff will be solid,” Sinclair said. “These girls split time on the mound as freshmen and now we’ll look at them as veterans.”
Loewen and Christina Morris may also see some time on the pitching rubber.
The team should also be aggressive on the base paths. Nikkel and Sanders combined to nab 17 bases last year. Sinclair also looks to Loewen and junior newcomer Allie Faul to wreak havoc in the running game.
“Baserunning should be fun this year. We have some very good speed,” Sinclair said.
Krista Reimer, Sammy Koons, and Tara Heinrichs round out the eight returning letter-winners on the team of 18 girls.
Last modified April 1, 2010