By Chris Parker
Buffalo softball won 15 games last season, which was the most for the Lady Bison since moving to the spring in 2021.
That number could increase this year with eight returning players.
Head coach Amber Austin identified Leah White (pitcher), Jaden Righter (shortstop), Brooklyn Righter (catcher), Addie Armstrong (centerfield) and Kayli Wentz (right field) as team leaders.
Austin on White: “Leah White is a true leader on the field, and she gets the team up and ready to go. She is calm and poised in every situation which helps the team.”
Austin on Jaden Righter: “Jaden Righter is a senior and I expect her to continue to do big things, she understands her role and she brings everyone around her up.”
Austin on Brooklyn Righter: “Brooklyn Righter this is her second year behind the plate, and she has grown so much in that position this off season and she has stepped up into that big leadership role this year.”
Austin on Armstrong: “Addie Armstrong has been a versatile player for us, and she is a true workhorse. She is one of the hardest working players on our team and she is willing to do whatever the team needs. She got moved to the outfield this year and has really taken on her new role and thrived. She is a player that we will need because she brings everyone around her up.”
Austin on Wentz: “Kayli Wentz is a senior and she is the one that can make a big play at any moment. She holds the team accountable, and she is a true representation of our big picture that we are trying to accomplish this year.”
Other players who will be in the lineup include Jaley Wendlet (second base), Olyvia Williams (first base), Chloe Chyka (third base), MaKinlea Mankey (left field), Madi Sapp (designated player), Leah Sawyer, Chloe Sawyer and Sarah Duskin.
“Our strengths of this team are we have a good group that has played a lot of ball together and they are young and are very hungry to be successful,” Austin said. “We all have high expectations for this season, and they have big goals that we all plan on meeting. They feel like we have something to prove after last year. We got cut out early and they are hungry to show that they deserve a top spot this year and are determined to get to where they want to be. They have bought in as a group and I’m hoping that will carry into how they play.”
Buffalo softball opens the season on Mar. 15 at Strafford.
“They grew a lot last year and we beat some final four teams, so I expect us to take that and build on it in the coming year,” Austin said. “We have more experience, but we are still young, but I think that will play to our advantage. Like I said, we have a young group but a group that has played a lot of ball together growing up and they have the capabilities to be a dominant team, and I fully expect to be and the girls expect to be so we just have to get them moving in the way of their goals.”
