Grace Returns Offensive Firepower
WINONA LAKE – The 2015 season was a banner year for Grace’s softball team.
The Lady Lancers earned their second straight trip to the NCCAA World Series, and Grace finished with its first 30-win season (32-27) in 21 years.
Grace’s potent bats averaged over six runs per game in 2015 under head coach Heather Johnson and ranked No. 13 in the nation in hits. The Lady Lancers will lean on their attack again in 2016, according to Johnson.
“Our offense puts a lot of pressure on the opposing defenses. We have an athletic, fast team which should produce a lot of runs,” Johnson said. “If we put the ball down, we can run it out. Normal singles could be doubles, and doubles could be triples. Our goal is to put pressure on the defense.”
Grace returns 65 percent of last year’s hits and 70 percent of the team’s RBIs despite graduating Brooke Shell, the most prolific offensive player in team history.
Clarissa Knight highlights Grace’s offensive returners. Knight earned All-American recognition in 2015 after pacing the Lady Lancers with a .425 batting average. She pounded out 76 hits, 10 doubles, 6 triples and 5 home runs with 51 RBIs.
Chandler Elliott and Ashley Kleinbub enjoyed strong freshman seasons in 2015 and return to add power to the middle of Grace’s lineup. Elliott tied the program record with 56 RBIs and hit .402 from the plate; Kleinbub batted .340 with 14 extra-base hits.
Several returners will look to have enhanced roles in 2016. Hannah Herbster missed time at the start of last year but returned to post a batting average of .415 in 46 games. She will likely bat near the top of the lineup this spring to set the tone for Grace’s offense.
Kati Gregory platooned in the catcher position last year. But she will be leaned on heavily this spring to provide leadership behind the plate and to guide a crop of freshman catchers in Paige Hlutke (Wawasee HS) and Emily Bobb (Seymour HS).
Sam Heim practiced with the Lady Lancers in 2015 but did not play as a redshirt. She will be an important addition, according to Johnson, providing a strong arm from the mound and solid defensive range in the outfield.
Infielders Brittany Turner and Brittany Melzoni and outfielder Morgan Hutcheson add experience and depth to bolster Grace’s roster.
Grace’s primary question in 2016 will need to be answered on the pitching rubber. Elliott was a workhorse as a freshman, tossing a team-high 166.2 innings while no other player topped 70 innings. While Elliott will likely again hurl the majority of Grace’s innings this spring, the Lady Lancers will need a conglomerate of arms to aid Elliott.
Allison Franklin and Amanda Bowman are the only regulars to return to Grace’s bullpen. The pair are hard throwers with experience both starting and relieving. Heim, Hannah England, Elaina McClellan and Kyleigh Garner will hope to add depth to the pitching rotation as they gain experience in 2016. “Our pitchers will have to hit their spots this year. We are teaching the staff to be smart and work to minimize what hitters can do. We’ll be aggressive pitchers, but we need to grow in mental fortitude to reach our full potential,” Johnson said.
Nearly half of Grace’s roster (9 of 20) will be new contributors this spring. Abby Mozingo has impressed in the preseason as a slap hitter and as a smart, speedy outfielder. Mariah Roman and Michaela Lee have also shown flashes in training and will have opportunities to earn time as freshmen. “We are incredibly deep as a team. We’ll use all 20 players this spring, which is a good problem to have. We are deep at every position.”
The motor of the team will be driven by Grace’s two seniors — Morgan Cody and Bowman. The seniors, according to Johnson, are motivated to end their careers on a high note after advancing to the NCCAA World Series the past two seasons. “Championships are won by seniors. How they want to go out and finish impacts the entire season. Amanda [Bowman] and Morgan [Cody] provide great leadership and are hard-working examples for the rest of the team. They are driven, and our team feeds off that.”
The Lady Lancers have additional incentive for a successful spring — sending coach Johnson out on a high note. Johnson announced before the season that 2016 will be her last with Grace, and interim associate head coach Genevieve Stoll has added more duties to share in the load.
“I would love to hang up a banner up in the rafters; that would be a nice bookend on my time here. But even more importantly, I want this program to continue growing,” Johnson said. “We have made a culture shift with Grace Softball, and I want the players to own that expectation and culture. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and the Lord has blessed this program. It’s in a good position, and I want these young women to compete, fight and finish every season like it’s their last one.”
Stoll added: “The Johnsons have taken this program to a new level, creating a core culture for the program and laying the groundwork for future success. This team has worked hard to prepare for the season, and now it’s time to see the payoff. The team is very focused and cohesive.”
Grace starts its season on Friday and Saturday with the Martin Methodist Meltdown. Grace’s first home game is on March 21 against Purdue North Central.