Seniors Lead the Way for Holt Softball

Senior pitcher Amber Boehme believes everything is in place for her and the softball team to have a breakthrough season this fall.

Boehme has been the Indians’ starting pitcher since her freshman year and led them to the district title game. But injuries held her back as a sophomore and last season she had a respectable, though not outstanding, 2.58 earned run average en route to a 14-10 season.

This year, she believes the district title is again in reach and maybe more. 

“I’m trying not to take anything for granted,” she said. “Every day being out here is something to be thankful for.”

Coach Joel Adam couldn’t agree more. He returns all but one starter from last year’s team that went 17-10 and has forced him to veer from his typical stock line about any new season.

How could it not with five players returning after hitting better than .300, including three who finished with at least a .363 batting average?

“I don’t want to talk too high or too low,” said Adam, who appeared to be holding back a desire to provide a bolder prediction. “I always say the same thing every year: we’re going to be competitive.

“But this year we’re going to be a little more competitive. I’m just going to say that much.”

No need to jinx the team, after all.

Even with eight starters returning, Holt is a young team.  The top four returning hitters are sophomores and juniors.

Third baseman Lindsey Dawson led the way in 2010 with a .384 average and 17 runs batted in for second best. She also stole 14 bases. Fellow junior Jordyn Piel, who plays first, led the team with 21 RBI and finished with a .363 average, along with two home runs.

Sophomores Abi Corbett (.382, 7 stolen bases) and Kaley Hansen (.303, 15 stolen bases) will anchor the outfield. Corbett will play center again and Hansen remains in right field.

Senior catcher Kaylee Brueggeman batted .302 and finished with 15 stolen bases and will once again catch for her classmate Boehme.

Adam said the team would only go as far as his four-year starting pitcher takes them and he wouldn’t be surprised — though he would refuse to predict — if it was past the district tournament.

“She’s looks the best I’ve seen her in four years,” he said.

Adam also said senior Courtney Kitson, who batted.291 with 14 stolen bases, will also play a major role this year for Holt. Kitson has played in the outfield and second extensively during her career with the Indians.

The experience plus a group of players that have been around each other for the better part of the past two years has increased hopes. But maybe more importantly, it has created a culture of winning.

“We’re a good group of athletes,” Boehme said. “We all play hard. We all have team chemistry. We come out here every day and practice hard.”