Enright Leaves Unprecedented Mark On IH Softball

Indian Hills softball has had its share of winning teams and talented players under head coach Joe Leicht.

Hills went to the 1995 state sectional with Leicht as an assistant and two more state sectionals in 2001 and 2003 with Leicht heading the program.

Through those years, several Lady Braves earned all-county, all-groups and all-state honors.

However, according to Leicht, none could compare to the ace that carried the Lady Braves through a league title, county title, state sectional and (for the first time ever) a state title this past season.

"We've had a lot of great players," Leicht said. "Katie Enright would have to be considered the greatest player in the history of Indian Hills' softball."

Leicht states a solid case. Enright set school records for wins (31-2) and strikeouts (322) while walking just 25 and posting a 0.27 ERA in 230 innings during the Braves' unforgettable run. Behind the plate she batted .330 with 34 hits, 26 RBI, 7 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs this past season, her best both at the plate and on the mound. She also holds career records in both winning percentage (73-16) and K's (856) and posted a career 0.42 ERA with an incredible 41 shutouts.

"When I first saw her pitch it was obvious she had the skill and drive to become something special," said Leicht, who coached Katie's dad Ed in freshmen baseball and taught her mom Kelly in geometry class during his 36 years at Hills. "It was just a matter of putting it together to get the finished product. We definitely got the finished product."

Nothing came easy for the 18-year-old Enright, who will attend Division II schoolFlagler College in the fall, where she will major in communications.

Enright took up tee ball in first grade and started playing travel softball in the fourth grade. After she sat out her sixth grade year during her team's championship run in 2004, Enright returned to softball under the tutelage of famed Bergen County softball instructor John Gurgick of Upper Saddle River.

Her parents knew Katie had something special because of her demeanor on the mound.

"She developed pretty quick, and she trained very hard," said Ed Enright. "On the field she was always very calm, never changed expression. Even though off the field, she was a nervous wreck. So we started to realize she probably had some potential to do well."

Gurgick's patient, low-key personality fit well with Katie, and the two flourished together during weekly Thursday night lessons for five and a half years. Sadly,Gurgick passed away in February at age 69 and didn't get to see Katie and his other student from Ridgewood face off in the county final.

"The night of the county final after the win (Gurgick's) wife gave us a call," said Kelly Enright. "She just wanted to congratulate Katie and tell her how proud John would have been of her."

Congratulations followed from all across Indian Hills as all three towns whose residents attend the school came out in support of the softball team upon their return from Toms River with the state title.

Katie's dream to attend Flagler near her grandparents home in St. Augustine, Fla., was fulfilled when the college added a softball team. Enright will be the star player looking to grow with the program.

"Expectations are so high," said Katie. "I want to take (Flagler) to the finals."

Through it all, Katie has valued the lessons she learned and the friendships she made.

"Softball has done so much for me," she said. "It's built my confidence and helped me be a stronger person. All my closest friends I've made playing on teams and having so much fun."