Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SOUTH WHITLEY - Thanks to an infusion of young talent, Whitko has become the cream of the crop in area softball.
Over the past two seasons, the Wildcats have amassed an impressive 42-12 record and won two straight sectional crowns.
Saturday, Whitko will face its toughest challenge of the year in the Bellmont Regional. The fourth-ranked 28-1 Northridge Raiders await the Wildcats in what may be the best matchup in the northern part of the state.
"If we play our game, we have a good shot of winning," said Whitko head coach Marla Burkhart.
A third grade teacher in the Whitko school system, Burkhart has taught a group of young upstarts how to win.
The 2004 version of the Wildcats was a seasoned group led by pitcher Stacy Socha and the bats of Dana Sellers, Jana Rowland, Tasia Boggs and Alicia Burelison.
This year's group is led mainly by a group of girls who aren't even old enough to drive.
Freshman pitcher Jamie Westness has been a showstopper with a season ERA of 1.36, racking up 196 strikeouts.
Westness really turned up the heat in sectional play. She gave up just two hits in the Wildcats' sectional semifinal win over Three Rivers Conference foe Tippecanoe Valley and then threw a no-hitter against Norwell for Whitko's second straight sectional crown.
"She's a hard worker and will do whatever it takes to get better," said Burkhart of her pitching ace.
Katie Langohr, one of three seniors on the Wildcat squad, has proven to be a valuable asset as a reliever.
Langohr has a 2.40 ERA in 23.1 innings of work and opponents are batting a paltry .122 against her.
"Katie has been a player that has developed throughout our program and has been able to really contribute as a pitcher," said Burkhart.
Besides Langohr, the only other Whitko upperclassmen are Jackie Arnett and Leah Winger.
Arnett and Winger have been integral parts in developing an offense that at times has struggled to put runs on the board.
Arnett is batting .338 on the season while Winger is hitting .400.
Westness and junior Katie Trump lead the team with 22 RBI. Westness also has the only two home runs hit by the Wildcats this year.
And while Whitko isn't known for its offense, the Wildcats have put 186 runs on the board this season which is good for a 7.44 runs per game average.
Now Burkhart and company are looking to score a regional crown. It will be tough however, to get past a Northridge squad that boasts two of the state's best pitchers.
Ashley Hamilton and Morgan Hackman have pitched their way to 14-win seasons toeing the rubber for the Raiders. As of press time, the starting pitcher for Northridge hadn't been announced.
Should Hamilton pitch for Northridge, Westness will be familiar with her. The two play on the same summer travel league team.
Whether it's Hamilton or Hackman, Burkhart knows that it's going to be a low scoring affair.
"I expect another 1-0 or 2-1 ballgame," said Burkhart. "It's going to be a pitching battle."
Last year, the Wildcats ended Northridge's season with a 4-0 win in the opening round of the regional.
While Northridge seeks revenge, Whitko seeks a trip to semistate.
That trip escaped the Wildcats last season when Bellmont won the regional by the count of 6-0.
Even if it doesn't happen this year, with nine underclassmen returning next year, the chances for deep playoff runs seem to be bountiful.
Whitko and Northridge are set to square off at 1 p.m. at Bellmont High School Saturday. The winner will face the winner of the Bellmont/Delta game taking place at 11 a.m.
