Talented Tigers Face High Expectation
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
What a difference a few years can make.
When Craig Helfrich signed on as the softball coach at Warsaw two years ago, the team was not exactly what you would call a dominant force.
"When I took over the program, there was not much enthusiasm here," said Helfrich. "The winning attitude was not there."
But last year, Helfrich led his Tigers to a spot few people thought they would be: The regional championship game.
"Our team was 21-12 last year. We won our first sectional since 1995, and we lost the regional championship by one run to Lafayette Jefferson, 3-2," said Helfrich. "No one expected us to do anything, and we were just one batter from the state game."
Which leads many folks to believe that Warsaw will have a strong season this year.
"A lot of successful coaches around the state are talking about this Warsaw team," said Helfrich. "They say we are going to be tough this year.
"People around town are saying good things about the program as well. We should have a good backing this year as well."
One of the reasons for all that talk is the fact that the Tigers lost just one senior, Marie Brown, from last year's team.
"We are a pretty experienced team this year," said Helfrich. "We were young last year, but this year we have a lot of experience back. We had five players who were all conference, and four of them return. We've been in big games, and that will make us better this year in the tournament."
And Helfrich is excited about the talent of his returners, especially the pitching staff.
"We have two of the best pitchers in the state," said Helfrich. "Ashley Wyatt and Michelle Liebsch were all conference last year.
"They have two very distinctive styles. Michelle throws hard while Ashley has a lot of junk pitches. That messes a lot of teams up. With good pitching, you don't have to score 8-10 runs."
But good pitching is not the only thing the Tigers have on their side this season. Helfrich is looking for the individual talents of each player on the varsity squad to mold into an efficient team.
"Ryann Jones is our senior first baseman, and we're going to count on her to hit this year. She got a lot more aggressive over the summer. She is a very good fielder, too.
"Melissa Himes, a senior, was all-conference at second base last year. She hit between .300 and .400 last year. She will probably be our big RBI person this year. She also has a lot she wants to prove this year.
"Amie Poling is a junior short stop. She is good all around. She can hit, field and bunt people over. Her bunting will be a key for us this year as well.
"Jacquie Burns is our third baseman. She was all conference last year and she plays very good defense. She led us in all defensive categories, and she can hit t0o. She's got a good head on her shoulders, she really knows the game.
"Christy Colt will be our starting catcher. We will count on her for leadership. We'll look to her to communicate with the pitcher and step up to be a good leader.
"Laura Overton was also all conference last year. She will be our lead off hitter. She's quick and she has a good stick.
"At center field, Jennifer Keirn is quick. We'll count on her to take charge of the outfield and provide leadership as well.
"Kari Fribley, our right fielder, has improved a lot over the summer. She led the team in sacrifices last year. She's a very good bunter.
"Kim Kurosky is a junior who will fill in in the infield, outfield and at the DH spot. She is a good hitter and she is quick. By next year, she will be a key player. I expect her to contribute a lot this year.
"Sarah Frush is our catcher of the future. She is a very accurate thrower. She will play in the outfield at times this year as well."
But with the season Warsaw had last year, the Tigers will not be the underdogs this year.
"Last year we were the underdogs," Helfrich said. "We snuck up on people. This year we are the hunted. We are not going to sneak up on anyone this year. When you're the hunted, you have to work extremely hard at what you're doing to be successful.
"The girls are excited about what we are doing. They are focused. Thay are willing to work hard and do what it takes to be a good team."
However, the girls are not the only ones who are excited about the season.
"I get very excited to talk about the season," said Helfrich. "Thursday we scrimmaged against Penn, the defending state champion.
"They are No. 1 in the preseason high school poll, and we played four innings and ended in a 3-3 tie. We held our own against a good, solid team.
"We have a tough schedule. We open up the season with four tough games against Logansport, Mishawaka and DeKalb (doubleheader). That's four hard games right off the bat.
"It's going to be an exciting year at Tiger Field. We are going to have a good team, and we'll be fun to watch. If we play the way I know we are capable of playing, fans are going to see some good softball this season."
Manchester Squires
Coach: Jim Troyer (4th year)
1999 record: 3-16
Key losses: Demara Knight
Key returners: Jessica Hicks, Dorey Bungitak, Jennifer Jester, Erin White, Briana Thompson, Ericka Rossiter, Christina Evans, Megan Sell
Opening date: April 8, Manchester hosts Fremont (DH)
Coach's quote: "This year we should have better pitching because we have more pitchers. Last year Jennifer (Jester) would pitch five innings and then be tired but we had nobody confident enough to come in for her. We knew it was a rebuilding year last year. Our goal this year is to be respectable. Our pitching is still not state caliber, but it is good enough to stay competitive. We want to finish better in the conference that last year, too.
NorthWood Panthers
Coach: Kristy Glick (1st year)
1999 Record: 6-19
Key Losses: Natalie Will, Heather Zentz, JoAnne Bove
Key Returners: Angie Zentz, Jessica Speed, Holly Jones, Jessica Mast
Opening Date: March 27, NorthWood at Mishawaka Marian
Coach's Quote: "There is a lot of excitement from the girls. The girls are willing to work hard. We have a very young team, and we have a lot of work to do. We are going to focus on improving fundamentals. These girls have had four coaches in four years, and it is a bit confusing. I am concentrating on the fundamentals, and doing them properly. We would also like to improve our record from last year."
Tippecanoe Valley
Coach: Lori Busenberg (6th year)
1999 Record: 6-20
Key Losses: Brooke Fisher, Amy Nellans, Sabrina Newsome
Key Returners: Mary Martin, Vickie Steen, Emily Jackson, Lindsay O'Brien
Opening Date: April 6, Maconaquah at Valley
Coach's Quote: "Our hitting has looked wonderful in practice so far. It has really improved. Our defense looks good as well. Oue weakness will be inexperience. We have low numbers, so we have a lot of young girls who will be playing without much experience. Our goal this season is to win conference."
Triton Trojans
Coach: Eileen Mariani (4th year)
1999 Record: 2-23
Key Losses: Mary Claxon
Key Returners: Kristi Sechrist, Katie Patrick, Melissa Claxon, Janell Salisbury, Tracey Bell, Melissa Gustafson, Alison McClarnon
Opening Date: April 3, Triton at Mishawaka Marian
Coach's Quote: "We made team goals at the beginning of theis season. We want to improve our overall record and our conference record. We are have a lot of new girls who have transferred into the school. Those incoming upperclassmen will strengthen the team and improve our depth. We were a young team last year, and now we are more experienced. We have a lot of juniors and are looking forward to the season."
Warsaw Tigers:
Coach: Craig Helfrich (3rd year)
1999 Record: 21-12
Key Losses: Marie Brown
Key Returners: Michelle Liebsch, Ashley Wyatt, Jacquie Burns, Laura Overton, Amie Poling, Ryann Jones, Melissa Himes, Christy Colt, Jennifer Keirn, Kari Fribley
Opening Date: April 4, Warsaw at Logansport
Coach's Quote: "We have the potential to be a really fundamentally sound softball team. I think if everyone on the team gives 100 percent every night, we are going to win our fair share of ball games. We have a good chance to do some damage in the conference. We want to win sectional and win regional. We tasted the regional last year, and now we want to win it. We are not done until we win state. Now people are starting to see how good we can be."
Wawasee Warriors
Coach: Bo O'Dell (5th year)
1999 Record: 13-16
Key Losses: Sara Frantz, Megan King, Danielle Powell
Key Returners: Dusty Krull, Andrea Gingerich, Tara Hymer, Jen Mason, Amber Ramseyer
Opening Date: March 30, Wawasee hosts Elkhart Central
Coach's Quote: "Our goal is to improve our overall record and get above .500. We also want to improve our conference standing. We have an All-conference pitcher and catcher returning, so I hope our defense will be tougher in the coming season."
Whitko Wildcats
Coach: Marla Burkhart (4th year )
1999 record: 13-11
Key losses: Kelly Osborne, Brieanne Starkweather, Holly Hoffman
Key returners: Mindy Lopshire, Janelle Keirn, Tary Hamill
Opening date: March 25, Whitko at Fairfield
Coach's quote: "Our strength will be pitching and defense, and our weakness will be consistency at the plate. We are working on hitting and putting strings of hits together. We want to improve upon last year and be in the running for the TRC championship. We also want to finish strong in the state tournament." [[In-content Ad]]
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What a difference a few years can make.
When Craig Helfrich signed on as the softball coach at Warsaw two years ago, the team was not exactly what you would call a dominant force.
"When I took over the program, there was not much enthusiasm here," said Helfrich. "The winning attitude was not there."
But last year, Helfrich led his Tigers to a spot few people thought they would be: The regional championship game.
"Our team was 21-12 last year. We won our first sectional since 1995, and we lost the regional championship by one run to Lafayette Jefferson, 3-2," said Helfrich. "No one expected us to do anything, and we were just one batter from the state game."
Which leads many folks to believe that Warsaw will have a strong season this year.
"A lot of successful coaches around the state are talking about this Warsaw team," said Helfrich. "They say we are going to be tough this year.
"People around town are saying good things about the program as well. We should have a good backing this year as well."
One of the reasons for all that talk is the fact that the Tigers lost just one senior, Marie Brown, from last year's team.
"We are a pretty experienced team this year," said Helfrich. "We were young last year, but this year we have a lot of experience back. We had five players who were all conference, and four of them return. We've been in big games, and that will make us better this year in the tournament."
And Helfrich is excited about the talent of his returners, especially the pitching staff.
"We have two of the best pitchers in the state," said Helfrich. "Ashley Wyatt and Michelle Liebsch were all conference last year.
"They have two very distinctive styles. Michelle throws hard while Ashley has a lot of junk pitches. That messes a lot of teams up. With good pitching, you don't have to score 8-10 runs."
But good pitching is not the only thing the Tigers have on their side this season. Helfrich is looking for the individual talents of each player on the varsity squad to mold into an efficient team.
"Ryann Jones is our senior first baseman, and we're going to count on her to hit this year. She got a lot more aggressive over the summer. She is a very good fielder, too.
"Melissa Himes, a senior, was all-conference at second base last year. She hit between .300 and .400 last year. She will probably be our big RBI person this year. She also has a lot she wants to prove this year.
"Amie Poling is a junior short stop. She is good all around. She can hit, field and bunt people over. Her bunting will be a key for us this year as well.
"Jacquie Burns is our third baseman. She was all conference last year and she plays very good defense. She led us in all defensive categories, and she can hit t0o. She's got a good head on her shoulders, she really knows the game.
"Christy Colt will be our starting catcher. We will count on her for leadership. We'll look to her to communicate with the pitcher and step up to be a good leader.
"Laura Overton was also all conference last year. She will be our lead off hitter. She's quick and she has a good stick.
"At center field, Jennifer Keirn is quick. We'll count on her to take charge of the outfield and provide leadership as well.
"Kari Fribley, our right fielder, has improved a lot over the summer. She led the team in sacrifices last year. She's a very good bunter.
"Kim Kurosky is a junior who will fill in in the infield, outfield and at the DH spot. She is a good hitter and she is quick. By next year, she will be a key player. I expect her to contribute a lot this year.
"Sarah Frush is our catcher of the future. She is a very accurate thrower. She will play in the outfield at times this year as well."
But with the season Warsaw had last year, the Tigers will not be the underdogs this year.
"Last year we were the underdogs," Helfrich said. "We snuck up on people. This year we are the hunted. We are not going to sneak up on anyone this year. When you're the hunted, you have to work extremely hard at what you're doing to be successful.
"The girls are excited about what we are doing. They are focused. Thay are willing to work hard and do what it takes to be a good team."
However, the girls are not the only ones who are excited about the season.
"I get very excited to talk about the season," said Helfrich. "Thursday we scrimmaged against Penn, the defending state champion.
"They are No. 1 in the preseason high school poll, and we played four innings and ended in a 3-3 tie. We held our own against a good, solid team.
"We have a tough schedule. We open up the season with four tough games against Logansport, Mishawaka and DeKalb (doubleheader). That's four hard games right off the bat.
"It's going to be an exciting year at Tiger Field. We are going to have a good team, and we'll be fun to watch. If we play the way I know we are capable of playing, fans are going to see some good softball this season."
Manchester Squires
Coach: Jim Troyer (4th year)
1999 record: 3-16
Key losses: Demara Knight
Key returners: Jessica Hicks, Dorey Bungitak, Jennifer Jester, Erin White, Briana Thompson, Ericka Rossiter, Christina Evans, Megan Sell
Opening date: April 8, Manchester hosts Fremont (DH)
Coach's quote: "This year we should have better pitching because we have more pitchers. Last year Jennifer (Jester) would pitch five innings and then be tired but we had nobody confident enough to come in for her. We knew it was a rebuilding year last year. Our goal this year is to be respectable. Our pitching is still not state caliber, but it is good enough to stay competitive. We want to finish better in the conference that last year, too.
NorthWood Panthers
Coach: Kristy Glick (1st year)
1999 Record: 6-19
Key Losses: Natalie Will, Heather Zentz, JoAnne Bove
Key Returners: Angie Zentz, Jessica Speed, Holly Jones, Jessica Mast
Opening Date: March 27, NorthWood at Mishawaka Marian
Coach's Quote: "There is a lot of excitement from the girls. The girls are willing to work hard. We have a very young team, and we have a lot of work to do. We are going to focus on improving fundamentals. These girls have had four coaches in four years, and it is a bit confusing. I am concentrating on the fundamentals, and doing them properly. We would also like to improve our record from last year."
Tippecanoe Valley
Coach: Lori Busenberg (6th year)
1999 Record: 6-20
Key Losses: Brooke Fisher, Amy Nellans, Sabrina Newsome
Key Returners: Mary Martin, Vickie Steen, Emily Jackson, Lindsay O'Brien
Opening Date: April 6, Maconaquah at Valley
Coach's Quote: "Our hitting has looked wonderful in practice so far. It has really improved. Our defense looks good as well. Oue weakness will be inexperience. We have low numbers, so we have a lot of young girls who will be playing without much experience. Our goal this season is to win conference."
Triton Trojans
Coach: Eileen Mariani (4th year)
1999 Record: 2-23
Key Losses: Mary Claxon
Key Returners: Kristi Sechrist, Katie Patrick, Melissa Claxon, Janell Salisbury, Tracey Bell, Melissa Gustafson, Alison McClarnon
Opening Date: April 3, Triton at Mishawaka Marian
Coach's Quote: "We made team goals at the beginning of theis season. We want to improve our overall record and our conference record. We are have a lot of new girls who have transferred into the school. Those incoming upperclassmen will strengthen the team and improve our depth. We were a young team last year, and now we are more experienced. We have a lot of juniors and are looking forward to the season."
Warsaw Tigers:
Coach: Craig Helfrich (3rd year)
1999 Record: 21-12
Key Losses: Marie Brown
Key Returners: Michelle Liebsch, Ashley Wyatt, Jacquie Burns, Laura Overton, Amie Poling, Ryann Jones, Melissa Himes, Christy Colt, Jennifer Keirn, Kari Fribley
Opening Date: April 4, Warsaw at Logansport
Coach's Quote: "We have the potential to be a really fundamentally sound softball team. I think if everyone on the team gives 100 percent every night, we are going to win our fair share of ball games. We have a good chance to do some damage in the conference. We want to win sectional and win regional. We tasted the regional last year, and now we want to win it. We are not done until we win state. Now people are starting to see how good we can be."
Wawasee Warriors
Coach: Bo O'Dell (5th year)
1999 Record: 13-16
Key Losses: Sara Frantz, Megan King, Danielle Powell
Key Returners: Dusty Krull, Andrea Gingerich, Tara Hymer, Jen Mason, Amber Ramseyer
Opening Date: March 30, Wawasee hosts Elkhart Central
Coach's Quote: "Our goal is to improve our overall record and get above .500. We also want to improve our conference standing. We have an All-conference pitcher and catcher returning, so I hope our defense will be tougher in the coming season."
Whitko Wildcats
Coach: Marla Burkhart (4th year )
1999 record: 13-11
Key losses: Kelly Osborne, Brieanne Starkweather, Holly Hoffman
Key returners: Mindy Lopshire, Janelle Keirn, Tary Hamill
Opening date: March 25, Whitko at Fairfield
Coach's quote: "Our strength will be pitching and defense, and our weakness will be consistency at the plate. We are working on hitting and putting strings of hits together. We want to improve upon last year and be in the running for the TRC championship. We also want to finish strong in the state tournament." [[In-content Ad]]