Optimism and hope for the future describes this year’s Fort Madison softball team perfectly. It’s one of the younger teams in the area as FMHS graduated six seniors from last year’s team. This year’s team has one senior. As a team Fort Madison finished (13-15) and finished fourth in the conference with a (7-8) record last season.
One of the seniors that Fort Madison is going to have to replace is Brylie Lorence. Her offensive production will be missed from a power perspective. As a team FMHS hit 16 home runs. Lorence was responsible for 14 homers while Taylor Huffman and Ava Fuget hit the other two. In 28 games last season, Lorence hit .477 which also led the team, had 41 hits, 14 home runs, 49 RBIs, and an on base percentage of .540. Fort Madison head coach Kyle Doherty is ready to see what this year’s team is capable of.
“We had more seniors last year,” Doherty said. “We ran into similar problems this year where we had to shuffle kids that are now being forced to play new positions late in their careers which has caused them to adapt to the IQ parts of the position they’re playing.”
One of the biggest challenges that FMHS is going to face this season is who is going to replace the power Lorence provided. Expect to see a team that goes first to third on base hits. Some hitters will still hit home runs but it likely won’t be at the pace it was at last year.
“There’s a lot of holes to fill on this year’s team because we’re depleted of some of our power,” Doherty said. “Some of the girls have grown and are stepping up in that role but some of the power will definitely be missed.”
With the power not being as present this year and players playing different positions, FMHS will have to generate offense going from first to third on a single and will need to constantly communicate to limit mistakes. Doherty knows his team will be able to handle it.
“I think the first few weeks will be trial and error,” he said. “It’s one thing to take reps in practice at different positions. The game itself can cause a lot of chaos. The one thing I really wanted to focus on this year was the versatility of our players because they have to wear that cap unfortunately. I think this year’s team will do a lot more running and create opportunities on the bases.”
Defensively, Fort Madison will have to figure out what the girls will be able to do to record outs which is going to take time. Doherty will have to be patient.
“I think one of the things we’re going to struggle with is a lot of the girls that are playing new positions aren’t familiar with what their range is and how they can attack with other baserunners coming,” he said. “I’m not very nervous about that transition because they work hard every day in practice and they’re open-minded. I think it will be smooth once all the spring sports is done.”
Pitching wise FMHS is young like the rest of the team. Lucia Darnell will be returning for her freshman season. She was their best pitcher as an eighth grader last season when she won seven games pitching 71 2/3 innings with 56 strikeouts and a 3.52 ERA. Hitters batted .283 against her last year. Jordyn Marshall and Emman Snaadt also return as pitchers.
“Marshall and Snaadt are both juniors who will pitch with Darnell,” Doherty said. “They’re all young and all three of them have logged a lot of innings for us in the circle which helps us in key situations. All of our pitchers have a very high IQ and all three bring different pieces to the table and that’s what I think makes them dangerous especially as we get into the middle of the season.”
To make this year’s Fort Madison team deeper, Doherty believes that Signe Nelson and Madysen McGee can make a big impact. Nelson is in her sophomore year while McGee is a freshman.
“Once Nelson gets a little more comfortable at the plate and plays a few more varsity games, I think she’ll be one that trends in the right direction,” Doherty said. “She can play both corners of the outfield and she’s been learning how to play first base. McGee will come off the bench primarily. She’s put the work in during the offseason and she’s converting to be a first baseman as well.”