The Montezuma Bravettes have a rare combination of experience and youth and that could be dangerous for opponents this summer.
Of 17 varsity candidates, there is just one senior and four juniors.
But nine Bravettes appeared in 23 or more of Montezuma’s 30 games last summer.
The Bravettes were 9-21 last year, including a 4-12 mark in South Iowa Cedar League play.
With their combination of experience – added to some athleticism – there’s a good chance they’ll keep improving as this year’s quick softball season progresses.
The Bravettes have a veteran pitcher in junior Kallie Robison. She started 29 games last season and pitched 172.2 innings, compiling a 3.93 earned run average. She walked just 36 batters, and struck out 110.
Providing offense were shortstop Izzy Roorda, a sophomore who hit .341, with 25 runs batted in and 9 stolen bases.
Second baseman Jadyn Sharer hit .338 and drove in 11 runs.
Roorda and Sharer provided tough middle infield defense, which any good ballclub needs.
Over at third base, the Bravettes have a crowd of candidates, but leading the way is the team’s only senior, Tia Shaffer, who hit .208 last summer.
Laila Kercheval, a sophomore outfielder, hit .234 last summer and drove in 15 runs, second high on the team.
Abby Pope, a junior utility player and pitcher, hit .220 and drove in 10 runs.
Ellen Cook, a freshman utility player, batted .224 in 30 games.
Madison Van Zee, a sophomore outfielder and a pitching candidate, hit .282 with eight runs batted in.
Kalynn Wanders, a junior, hit .156 in 23 games, and sophomore Jordan Ranfeld, an outfielder and utility player, hit .182.
In addition, the Bravettes have a strong cast of underclass players who will compete for playing time.
Those players include junior Kaprice Wearmouth (2B/INF), sophomore Taytin Chamberlin (INF), freshmen Willow Young (3B/RF), Hayley Burnett (RF/OF), Taya Sincox (U); and Tayler Wickham (OF); and eighth-grader Chloe Snook (3B/INF).
UP FIRST – The Bravettes are scheduled to host Grinnell on Wednesday, May 25.
The Bravettes
Senior – Tia Shaffer, 3B/2B
Juniors – Kaprice Wearmouth, 2B/INF; Abby Pope, P/U; Kallie Robison, P/1B; Kalynn Wanders, U/INF.
Sophomores – Jadyn Sharer, 2B/U; Madison Van Zee, OF/P; Taytin Chamberlin, INF; Jordan Ranfeld, OF/U; Laila Kercheval, OF; Izzy Roorda, SS/U.
Freshmen – Willow Young, 3B/RF; Ellen Cook, U/U; Hayley Burnett, RF/OF; Taya Sincox, U/U; Tayler Wickham, OF.
Eighth grade – Chloe Snook, 3B/INF.