FORTVILLE — It has already been a big year for Mt. Vernon girls softball coach Veronica Kirby.
Last month, she gave birth to her second child.
Earlier in the year, she was part of the first class inducted into the Mt. Vernon Athletics Hall of Fame, joining her former team members from the 2000 state championship softball team.
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The majority of last year’s starting lineup from a 21-7 team that finished tied for second in the Hoosier Heritage Conference returns, giving good reason that 2019 could be a big year for the MVHS softball team, too.
Six regulars return, but only catcher Samantha Bennett is a senior. Three of the top vets are still just sophomores.
As a rookie, sophomore second baseman Haley Kissee hit .430 with nine home runs, 44 runs scored and earned all-county honors. She was the only freshman in Hancock County to finish in the top 10 in any offensive category. She was fourth in runs scored and home runs and 10th in RBIs (33).
She is moving to second base after playing left field last season.
Sophomore pitcher Karlee Franklin threw 80.1 innings last season, most of any area returning pitcher. She went 10-4 with a 3.83 earned run average.
Outfielder Riley Hasseld didn’t have freshman-like numbers either. She hit .392 and tied for second on the team in hits with Kissee and junior all-county shortstop Sydnee Perry with 40.
“I have six returning starters and that always helps, but we’re still young,” Kirby said. “We’ve got a few girls that will be getting their first varsity experience, so I will look to the girls that played last year to step up and lead, not just with softball, but how to handle playing at the varsity level.”
It is evident those things are happening right away.
In the team’s season opening 10-2 victory against Scecina, Kissee opened the game with a lead-off home run. In her first varsity start, junior center fielder Macy Griner followed suit with a three-run first-inning double and a third-inning, three-run home run.
The veteran returnees bring more than just experience. They have some very impressive numbers.
Perry hit .408 a year ago with team-bests in doubles (14) and RBIs (43). She ranked second in the county in doubles and third in RBIs. This is her third year as a Marauder starter.
“She has done nothing but get better, and her numbers prove that,” Kirby said of her shortstop. “Everybody in our conference knows who she is. They’ve seen her grow and know that she is a quality player.”
The most experienced senior, Bennett, handled duties behind the plate while hitting .405 with 19 RBI.
“She kind of flew under the radar last year,” Kirby said. “She came up with some clutch hits. I can see her having a good year this year. She has got a lot stronger and I think she is going to have more power this year.”
Junior third baseman Anelise Worden had a strong season, too, with a .391 batting average, 15 RBIs and 27 runs scored.
Senior outfielder Lauryn Helderbrand will be working to be a regular in the lineup this season after spending much of last year as a pinch-runner. She played in 23 games and scored 26 runs, tied for fifth on the team.
Griner, senior Chloee Yocum and sophomores Macey Cox and Allison Myers will be newcomers vying for playing time.
Kirby said Hasseld will have one of the outfield spots with Helderbrand, Griner, Cox, and possibly Myers, competing for the others.
In limited duty last year, Griner and Yocum, who will start at first base, both showed they can contribute at the plate. Griner went 2-for-2 in her only varsity at-bats and one of the hits was a home run. Yocum went 3-for-5 with two home runs and seven RBIs.
Myers was used as a pinch-hitter in the season opener and singled in her first varsity at-bat.
Sophomore Molly Buck is a second pitcher on the squad. Yocum also has some pitching experience.
“Like last year, I think our defense is going to be solid,” Perry said, of keys to the team’s success. “Our hitting needs to be there and we’ll have to stay focused and engaged.”
With one game under their belt, the Marauders are 1-0 and on the right track to a big season in 2019.
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Mt. Vernon Marauders
Coach: Veronica Kirby (fifth year)
Last season: 21-7, 5-2 HHC; lost 3-1 to Pendleton Heights in 4A sectional semifinal.
Key returnees: SS Sydney Perry (.408, 6 HR, 43 RBI), 2B Haley Kissee (.430, 9 HR, 33 RBI), P Karlee Franklin (10-4, 3.83 ERA, 80.1 IP, 54 K), C Samantha Bennett (.405, 19 RBI), OF Riley Hasseld (.392, 23 RBI), 3B Anelise Worden (.391, 27 R, 15 RBI), OF Lauryn Helderbrand (26 R)
Top newcomers: OF Macy Griner, 1B Chloee Yocum, OF/DP Macey Cox, IF/OF Allison Myers
Outlook: The Marauders should have high hopes for 2019. They did lose hitting and pitching standout Kaitlyn Nugent (.490, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 8-2, 4.36 ERA), Cassidy Parker (.400, 4 HR, 36 RBI) and Jadan Fithian (.362, 1 HR, 15 RBI), but plenty of talent returns from a 21-win team, led by all-county infielders Perry and Kissee. Also, if the first game of the season is any indication, plenty of help is on the way. Newcomer Griner had a double, home run and six RBI in a 10-2 season-opening win over Scecina.
Notable: Franklin’s 80.1 innings pitched are the most of any returning area pitcher. She opened the season with an impressive 10-strikeout, three-hit complete game performance in a victory over Scecina. She will be relied on a lot in 2019. Sophomore newcomer Molly Buck and senior Chloee Yocum, who pitched 2.2 innings last year, are the only other pitchers on the roster.
Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
March 28;Scecina;W,10-2
Apr. 4;Arsenal Tech;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 6;Lutheran (DH);11:00 a.m.
Apr. 8;at Hamilton Southeastern;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 9;at Yorktown;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 10;Connersville;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 13;at Columbus East (DH);12:00 p.m.
Apr. 15;at New Castle;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 16;Frankton;5:30 p.m.
Apr.18;at New Palestine;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 22;at Delta;6:00 p.m.
Apr. 23;Lapel;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 25;Fishers;5:30 p.m.
Apr. 26;Greenfield-Central;7:30 p.m.
Apr. 29;Noblesville;5:00 p.m.
Apr. 30;at Shelbyville;5:30 p.m.
May 2;Pendleton Heights;5:30 p.m.
May 3;at Westfield;6:00 p.m.
May 4;Boone Grove;10:00 a.m.
May 4;Crown Point;12:00 p.m.
May 7;Shenandoah;5:30 p.m.
May 8;at Lawrence North;6:00 p.m.
May 13;at Anderson;5:30 p.m.
May 18;Centerville;TBA
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