By Chris Parker
Exeter softball is poised for a big season with seven starters returning from last year’s 13-7 team. The Tigers have posted three straight seasons with at least 13 wins.
That experience will be important this season.
“Our returning players are ready to push the younger players to the next level,” Exeter head coach Ashley Fly said. “One of our strengths going into this season is the advantage of our girls all playing together in the summer and knowing what each of them brings to the team. We will be able to build off those strengths going into the season and building off those building blocks. Our key building blocks will be the three young ladies on the mound that bring a variety of pitches and speed. With these three young ladies and a scrappy defense, we will surprise a few people along the way.”
Seniors Emma Sorensen (centerfield) and Madison Crumpler (utility) along with junior Natalie Crumpler (catcher) will be the team’s leaders.
“Emma, Madison, and Natalie have been a part of the past two seasons and know what it will take to achieve our goals for the upcoming season,” Fly said. “Emma and Madison have been a part of this program the past three years and want to leave a legacy when they are done. Natalie knows what it takes to win and will be a big asset to help get the younger kids on board and working toward the team goals.”
Sorensen, a first-team all-conference selection, posted a .573 on-base percentage with a 1.281 OPS last year. She drove in 18 runs and scored a team-high 38 runs. Natalie Crumpler also earned first-team all-conference honors on the strength of a .610 batting average and 1.628 OPS. She drove in 23 runs and scored 28 runs while slugging three home runs. Madison Crumpler was named second-team all-conference after she hit .482 with a 1.179 OPS. She scored 27 runs on the season.
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Exeter will utilize three pitchers during the season. Madison Crumpler pitched four innings of the district title game. Sophomore Dawnee Sorensen and freshman Zeanndrea Brown will be the other two pitchers.
“Dawnee Sorensen and Zeanndrea will be great additions to help out this season. All three pitchers bring something different to the mound,” Fly said. “They all have strengths we will rely on whether it be their speed and movement or the variety of pitches each of them bring to the mound. All three pitchers will be big part of our success this season.”
The trio has shown marked improvement in the off-season.
“All of our pitchers have seen improvements from last season,” Fly said. “They are all throwing every day and working out. Our girls have come in and put in the work during the off-season. We expect to see big improvements from all of our girls as we move into the season and see a big difference for some from last year to this year.”
Dawnee Sorensen gives Exeter a third returning first-team all-conference selection. She hit .542 with a 1.137 OPS while scoring 25 runs and driving in another 27 runs.
Natalie Crumpler will see many of the innings behind the plate at catcher, but freshman Shae Hilburn will also find time there.
Ali Daniels-Arivett (junior), Hallie Woods (sophomore), Abby Lemons (sophomore), Dawnee Sorensen, Kaylyn Weiser (sophomore), Hilburn, Brown and Gracie McCracken (freshman) are all in the mix for time on the infield.
Woods earned second-team all-conference honors as a freshman. She hit .423 with a 1.038 OPS scoring 28 runs and driving in 23 runs.
Emma Sorensen, Karlee Willis, Madison Crumpler, Hallie Woods, McCracken, Bethan Hernandez, Bella Logan and Hilburn could all see time in the outfield.
Fly will look for this group to bring grit to every practice and game.
“Our identity would be for each player to have GRIT in every situation they face throughout the season,” Fly said. “Overall, we want GRIT to help us fight through adversity and to help us move forward and achieve any goal our girls have set for themselves but for our school and our program.”
Exeter opens the season Mar. 17-18 at the Verona Tournament.
“The overall expectation for this year’s team is to keep developing the game but to develop the leadership that will carry us through adversity,” Fly said. “We expect our junior and sophomore class to come up with big plays in key situations, but we will rely on our younger ladies to step up and help produce at the plate and on the field. Our goal at Exeter is to keep improving every day and focus on the little things we can improve every day. This group of girls has high expectations for themselves, their school, and their program.”
