Optimism and hope for the future describes this year\u2019s Fort Madison softball team perfectly. It\u2019s one of the younger teams in the area as FMHS graduated six seniors from last year\u2019s team. This year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s team is capable of.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had more seniors last year,\u201d Doherty said. \u201cWe 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\u2019re playing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019t be at the pace it was at last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of holes to fill on this year\u2019s team because we\u2019re depleted of some of our power,\u201d Doherty said. \u201cSome of the girls have grown and are stepping up in that role but some of the power will definitely be missed.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the first few weeks will be trial and error,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s team will do a lot more running and create opportunities on the bases.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think one of the things we\u2019re going to struggle with is a lot of the girls that are playing new positions aren\u2019t familiar with what their range is and how they can attack with other baserunners coming,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m not very nervous about that transition because they work hard every day in practice and they\u2019re open-minded. I think it will be smooth once all the spring sports is done.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMarshall and Snaadt are both juniors who will pitch with Darnell,\u201d Doherty said. \u201cThey\u2019re 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\u2019s what I think makes them dangerous especially as we get into the middle of the season.\u201d<\/p>\n
To make this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce Nelson gets a little more comfortable at the plate and plays a few more varsity games, I think she\u2019ll be one that trends in the right direction,\u201d Doherty said. \u201cShe can play both corners of the outfield and she\u2019s been learning how to play first base. McGee will come off the bench primarily. She\u2019s put the work in during the offseason and she\u2019s converting to be a first baseman as well.\u201d<\/p>\n