money Loaded with talent, Colonel Crawford softball has lofty goals this spring
NORTH ROBINSON — Colonel Crawford saw a potential league title slip out of its reach late last season before making a run to the district semifinal.
With 11 returning letter winners and nine starters back, the Eagles are the most experienced team in the area this season.
"That is definitely the key difference with this year's team," coach Sarah Fraser said. "More maturity and, hopefully, more mental toughness."
And even with so many players back, just four are seniors: center fielder Alivia Studer hit 17 home runs — one shy of the state record — with 37 runs and 45 RBIs last season; second baseman Kaylyn Risner batted .387 with 36 hits and 29 runs; right fielder Atley Crabaugh had 14 hits and 12 runs; and utility player Sam Bell gives Crawford depth.
Third baseman Harley Thomas (.358, 29 hits, 29 runs, 20 RBIs), catcher Nettie Gallant (.400, 28 hits,17 RBIs), pitcher Lauren Frietchen (12-7, 2.09 ERA, 160 K) and Sophie Beck (.333, 23 runs) round out a strong junior class which just took the field for the first time last year after losing their freshman year to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Thomas can field a bunt better than anyone I've seen in quite a while," Fraser said. "And Gallant is a wall behind the plate."
Sophomores shortstop Allison Weithman (.408, 40 hits, 33 runs, 21 RBIs, 25 stolen bases), first baseman Hannah Allen (.346, 28 hits, 19 runs, 17 RBIs) and left fielder Madison Cobb (.338, 27 hits, 30 runs, 15 RBIs) will be the likely starters. Sophomore Hanna Perry and freshman Aubrey Zizzo should earn playing time this season as well.
"Communication and teamwork will be huge for us," Fraser said. "We have some amazing hitters but need to get those timely hits and limit our strikeouts."
After tying for second in the Northern 10 last season, this group of talented players will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen again this spring.
"The league is always tough in softball," Fraser said. "I would like to see us fitting in toward the top.
"We want to play with more confidence and win the N10, then make a deep tournament run."
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This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Colonel Crawford softball wants to make this a season to remember
