Belle Plaine softball experienced a rebirth of sorts this season, as the Plainsmen posted a record of 21-11. Despite featuring just three seniors on the squad, the Plainsmen flourished under first year head coach Cathy Cronbaugh, finishing 15-6 in the SICL Conference behind champion Iowa Valley, Lynnville-Sully and North Mahaska.

They started off strong this season, winning their first two games and winning seven in a row in one stretch by the middle of June. Two of their next three losses came at the hands of Lynnville-Sully by one and two runs, respectively. Although Iowa Valley beat them 9-1 early in the season, later the margin was much closer, 3-0. North Mahaska, which later qualified for the state tournament, also had a tough time with Belle Plaine in both meetings, taking the first, 4-3 and the second, 3-0.

Two of the team’s strengths this season were hitting and pitching. With a team batting average of .319, the Plainsmen scored 10 runs or more eight times and were shut out only four times. The pitchers had a combined earned run average of 2.12.

Those three seniors will be tough to replace. First baseman Megan Ehlen led the team with a .435 batting average, with a team-high 15 doubles and 23 RBIs. She also had three triples and 11 stolen bases.

Centerfielder Katie Walton had a .375 batting average with 22 RBIs, 14 doubles, one triple and one of the team’s two homeruns this season. Starting pitcher Kristen Bevins had a .339 batting average, drove in 14 runs and led the team with 13 stolen bases.

Junior shortstop Taylor Schafbuch had a .329 batting average, with 19 RBIs. She led the team with 21 walks. Another junior, catcher Brenna Ford, hit .281 and drove in 10 runs. Freshman second baseman Melissa Janss had a .265 batting average, drove in 13 runs and walked a dozen times. Left fielder Molly O’Brien just finished the eighth grade but she had 100 at bats and hit .260. Freshman right fielder Macy DeMeulenaeere also hit .260. Sophomore Joy Cronbaugh, who was a third baseman and pitcher, had a .256 batting average with 10 RBIs and 18 walks.

A pair of graduated eighth graders saw limited varsity action but showed a lot of potential. Melissa Stull, a designated hitter, came to the plate just 35 times but had a .429 batting average with a double, triple and six RBIs. Infielder Julie Long had one hit in five plate appearances.

The team relied on two pitchers this season and both of them compiled impressive numbers. Bevins had a record of 14-7, with 73 strikeouts and 22 walks and an e.r.a. of 1.98. Cronbaugh was 7-4 with 33 strikeouts and 12 walks and a 2.4 e.r.a.