WAYNE – The Wayne State College softball team had 23 non-conference games on their 2020 campaign, but once they completed their 23rd game the season it was then called off just two weeks before the conference schedule was to begin.
The Wildcats were in Auburndale, Florida where they went 5-3 over a five-day period during the National Training Center (NTC) spring games March 8-12.
Head coach Shelli Manson was entering her sixth year leading the Wildcat softball team. She said after their Thursday morning games, they were getting word right before their 27-30-hour ride home on the bus.
“We started rolling down the road not too long after that and that’s when the NSIC stuff started coming out and Mike (Powicki) gave me a call,” said Manson. “Said, ‘hey this is coming down the pipe, keep it to yourself until it gets announced.’ They (the team) reacted how I think most teams reacted with pure shock, a lot of questions and just taking it all in on the bus ride home.”
Wayne State entered their spring trip on a seven-game losing streak where they suffered back-to-back losses of 4-3 to California University (PA) and 6-4 to Dominican College (NY). WSC then turned things around with wins over Ferris State (7-1), Edinboro of PA (11-3), Slippery Rock of PA (2-0) and Urbana of Ohio (5-1) before splitting games on the final day with Pittsburgh at Johnstown (1-8) and Malone of Ohio (7-2).
Coach Manson added it was very refreshing seeing the team close out strong.
“They made the corrections on their own,” Manson added. “A lot of it was a mental thing that they were starting to get a little fearful of why can’t we win? Instead of letting that take over, they just came together as a team and starting getting it done and then started to roll. Once they start to believe in themselves, they really are a good team.”
The NSIC home opener was scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 with Augustana coming to town while the ‘Cats were scheduled to end the month of March at Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State.
Wayne State College finished the season 10-13 but again winning five of their final six games.
One thing the Wildcat softball team can take away from the cancellation of the spring season, is the team has no seniors and they’ll have everyone returning plus their incoming recruiting class back next season.
“It’ll be more of the long run for us,” Manson mentioned. “They’ll all have another year of eligibility basically. So, if the juniors want to go another year, if the sophomores want to go their final year that’s when it’s going to get a little tricky for us. But nothing in the immediate future.”
Those on the team will just have to let the coaches know if they plan on returning for their fifth year academically to get their fourth-year of eligibility. The team will start to have their exit meetings in the next few weeks.
As of now, coach Manson is expecting to have 22 players on the 2021 roster.
The coaching staff talks with their current players twice a week to make sure they’re okay with academics before talking softball.
“They have workouts that they do at home on their own time,” said Manson. “Krissi (assistant coach Oliver) sends out a new workout every week, it’s a living room workout is what we call it. A lot of them already have soft nets and tees and things. They can throw with their family, thankfully they all come from athletic families. So, we’re just kind of letting them do their own thing. We’re making sure if they need us, we’re right here.”
Leaders through 23 non-conference game at the plate:
Junior Ashley Hernandez: batting average (.418); slugging % (.806), on base % (.487); runs scored (T-1st with 17); RBIs (22); doubles (five); home runs (seven); total bases (54) and walks (nine).
Sophomore Kortney Buresh: run scored (T-1st with 17); hits (31); triples (three); total place appearances (87) and at bats (81).
Freshman Clare Reinhart: hit by pitch (three times).
Freshman Paiton Tornberg: sacrifice bunts (four).
Sophomore Michaela Smith: sacrifice flies (one).
Sophomore Kim Vidlak: stolen bases (eight of nine attempts).
Sophomore Kamryn Sparks, Buresh, Hernandez, Tornberg and Reinhart started and appeared in all 23 games.
Pitching:
Freshman Hadley Chvatal (5-3): earned runs average (2.68); opposing batting average (.234); and starts (nine).
Junior Maddie Moser (4-2): won-loss % (.667).
Freshman Sloan Cooksey (1-6): saves (four); innings pitched (54.2); strikeouts (46/10 looking); appearances (16); complete games (eight); games in relief (nine) and hit batters (six).