By Elizabeth Grace ’15, The Lens Co-Section Editor
The 2013 softball team had a great season. Led by seniors Annie Nesbitt, Meg Lazarus, Sara Fitzgerald, Preeya Waite, Holly Dayton, and Caroline Gentile, the team progressed to the district finals for the first time in seventeen years. Concluding the regular season with an eight game winning streak, they garnered an impressive 11-4 record, finishing with two more wins against Cedarville and Seven Hills in the post-season to win the sectional championship.
Assistant coach and Athletic Director Theresa Hirschauer was very pleased with the team. Commenting on its goals for the 2013 season, she explained, “We wanted to make it to the District game—first time since 1996. Outstanding achievement.” After winning the Gray Division for two straight years, the team moved up to the Scarlet Division, beating out Seven Hills and New Miami while losing the MVC title to only Cincinnati Christian.
Along with its great record and sectional championship, the team also hosted much individual achievement. Freshman pitcher Missy Dieckman-Meyer, who made first team all-league along with catcher Caroline Gentile ‘13, pitched over two-hundred strikeouts and hit both of the team’s home runs. The other freshmen, Megan Campbell, Kayla Chisholm, and Carmelita Mays, all had a great season,
improving tremendously and contributing greatly in the field, behind the bat, and on the bases.
Sophomores Lindsey Jarrell, Hayley Shepard, Allison Brinkman, and Elizabeth Grace also contributed to the team’s success. Shepard’s and Brinkman’s speed around the bases, Grace’s presence in right field, and Jarrell’s strong and consistent hitting were all critical in many games. Senior Holly Dayton, who played both center field and second base, remarked, “My favorite moment was when Lindsey hit a perfect shot into the short left field– it was beautiful!!” That particular hit, an RBI and double, was one of Jarrell’s many great shots.
Victoria Paff and Elizabeth Weisenfelder, the two juniors of the 2013 team and next season’s captains, both had a fantastic season, especially at bat. Paff statistically led the team in hitting, while Weisenfelder hit a key 2-RBI double in the sectional final against Seven Hills, which the team won 12-2 in the sixth inning. Coach Hirschauer, proud of the teamwork in the final Seven Hills game, explained that “different people came up with key hits and plays.”
Filling six of nine positions on the field, the seniors’ hitting and fielding abilities were crucial. Catching every ball that came to her and maintaining a positive attitude, Annie Nesbitt was a solid force on first base, while at-bat she consistently racked up base hits and RBIs. Meg Lazarus, who played many positions and ultimately ended up at second base, used her superlative reaction speed to catch line drives, fly balls, and grounders alike. Her hitting, powerful and unfailing, brought in many runs. Shortstop Sara Fitzgerald contributed to many key outs in fielding and in preventing steals at second base on multiple occasions. Being the leadoff hitter, she regularly got on base and gave the team great scoring opportunities. Preeya Waite, the team’s third baseman, was a jack of all trades; her bullet throws, steady fielding, and powerful hitting provided innumerable runs on Country Day’s part and outs on their opponents’. Holly Dayton, too, was very adaptable, playing both second base and center field; in both positions, she excelled at making the plays necessary for getting outs. Her at-bats, especially her bunts, were essential and reliable, moving runners and instigating runs. Caroline Gentile, an unwavering force behind the plate, worked seamlessly with Dieckman-Meyer ’16 to form a formidable pair. Gentile’s judgment, quick reaction time, and great fielding ability made for a great combination. Effective in both her bunts and base hits, she was able to adapt easily to every situation at bat.
Though each senior individually had a great season with fantastic achievements, their work together was arguably the most influential. Every one of them having played all four years on the team, they were very close and encouraging to one another. To Dayton ‘13, the connection was indispensable. “We’re all great friends,” she said. “We like each other, we know when we’re having bad days, and we’re supportive. I think that makes a great difference, that we all cheer each other on.”
With the majority of the team’s starting lineup graduating this year, the remaining members of the softball team are ready to adapt to the 2014 season. Coach Hirschauer is especially geared up for next year, commenting, “Super excited about the underclassman along with some incoming freshman. Need to build on the improvements from this year—other players will be asked to step up.”
