Softball program has bright future

The Lady Outlaws softball team has been working hard and it showed on the field this year. Sisters finished their season 7-17, which was a tie for the most wins they've had in a season in the past 10 years.

Sisters battled through several obstacles this season. Kathryn Scholl, their sophomore pitcher, was lost halfway through the season due to a back injury, and in addition three other key players suffered concussions. Only one of those was softball related.

Talented as individuals and as a team, they focused on improving skills.

Coach Gary Barr told The Nugget that this year hitting was the team's forte. The Lady Outlaws had a stellar team batting average of .360 and scored an average of over eight runs per game, a significant improvement from last season.

Barr nominated three players for All-Conference honors, including senior Hannah Fendall, who batted .630 with five home runs, sophomore Ella Davis at .528, and senior Anna Landon, who batted .457.

The softball athletes have also steadily advanced their defensive skills.

Barr said, "After Kathryn's injury, our two backup pitchers, Ella Davis and Chloe Frazee, had to take over a big load. However, Ella and Chloe are dedicated team players and made steady progress in their pitching over the season.

"Frazee hit at a .391 clip," added Barr. "At catcher, freshman Saylor Weston made remarkable progress receiving and blocking while batting a solid .344. She is on track to be a college prospect. Cooper Alport's athleticism helped us at first base by making excellent defensive plays and hitting well (a .339 batting average). In the outfield, sophomore Brooklyn Cooper and Holly Davis developed into major contributors."

The coaching staff will remain the same next year. Barr will enter his third year as head coach, and his daughter Abby will be assistant. Two fantastic volunteers, Stephanie Siebold and Janet Cusimano, also plan to return next season.

"Improving during every practice is our coaching message," said Barr. "At games, the priority is teamwork, communication, and fun."

The 2023 squad was young, with ten of the fourteen team members freshmen or sophomores. Barr told The Nugget that softball in Sisters is flourishing at the younger age level. Next year the Lady Outlaws will have at least four talented freshmen coming in, and the year after that, five pitchers and five catchers.

The future definitely looks bright for Outlaws softball.