Girls have reasons to look ahead

The Bravettes honor America before a game. (Crystal Ferry photo).

The Montezuma Bravettes had a competitive softball season and did it with a number of very young players, and a team batting average of .306, which is good for a fastpitch team at any level.

A look at the season stats shows that most of the team leaders were underclassmen, including five freshmen.

Among those: A team-leading individual batting average of .424 by Mya Smothers, who also led the Bravettes in slugging percentage at .636.

Kam Schmidt rips an RBI single during recent action. (Crystal Ferry photo).

The Bravettes were forced to develop some pitching depth when freshman Leah Urfer was sidelined by injury in her eighth game. But develop they did, as another freshman, Syd Burgess, entered the circle and won seven games, improving until season’s end.

Bravettes season stats leaders

Runs scored – Chloe Snook 31, Madison Van Zee 28, Mya Smothers 20, Izzy Roorda 15, Kam Schmidt 15.

Hits – Snook 34, Van Zee 32, Schmidt 23.

Doubles – Smothers 8, Ellen Cook 7, Schmidt 3.

Triples – Smothers 3, Cook 2.

Home runs – none.

Runs batted in – Smothers 23, Vivian Cook 21, Schmidt 19, Ellen Cook 16.

Batting average – Smothers .424, Van Zee .421, Snook .395, Schmidt .307. (Team average: .306).

Slugging percentage – Smothers .636, Snook, .488.

Steals – Snook 16 steals in 16 attempts, Smothers 11-11, Vivian Cook 9-9, Schmidt 8-8, Van Zee 7-7. (Team: 77-79).

Fielding (miniumum 30 chances) – Ellen Cook .981, Roorda .957, Vivian Cook .928, Syd Burgess .887. Smothers .884. Van Zee .839.

Pitching wins – Burgess 7, Leah Urfer 2, Van Zee 1.

Innings pitched – Burgess 91.2, Urfer 27.

Strikeouts – Burgess 46, Urfer 27. (Note: Urfer walked just 7 in 32.1 innings).