Season lost to injuries

Team faces setback with lack of veteran players

Suh Koller

With a final record of 3-15, the softball season’s success was hindered because of two major injuries, according to senior captain Maria Barr.

“We started off with a strong season, but as we got into conference meets we started to lose,” Barr said. “(Junior captain) Lauren (Resnick is) our top pitcher so we had to have younger kids step up and take over the responsibility.”

Resnick, who was the varsity pitcher since she was an eighth grader, was out for the season with a single fracture in her lower back.

According to coach Al Wachutka,  Resnick’s absence had a big impact on the rest of the season.

“Absolutely, it had an effect on the season since we’re taking our number one pitcher and they’re out of the mix, and putting people who don’t have the same varsity experience in,” Wachutka said.

Sophomore Shea Swanson was also partially out of the season because of an injured rotator cuff. Because the team does not have many back up players, Wachutka said the loss of their catcher, Swanson, hurt the team dramatically.

“We really have only one catcher who gets much experience as far as practice is concerned, and that’s been Shea,” Wachutka said. “What it does with a team such as ours, we start playing a game of musical chairs and start shifting people all over. We get a lot of people out of position.”

Swanson, the main catcher for the varsity team, said she thinks the team injuries, including her own affect the balance of the team.

“I was the only catcher on the varsity team, so Mr. Wachutka had to have people stay later and train to take my position,” Swanson said. “Also, our starting pitcher is out as well and we had a nice routine together so I feel like the whole team’s balance is a little thrown off.”

As far as the rest of the team, five junior high girls have been playing up for the varsity team and according to Resnick, they have been a great addition to the team because of the amount of injuries.

“I think (the junior high girls) are doing really well. They’re really stepping up and contributing and they’re a huge part of our team,” she said.