Building process takes positive steps forward

For some softball programs, a 10-15 season record would be a step backward. For Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn it could be a sign of better things to come.

With a roster primarily comprised of freshmen and sophomores, H-M-S doubled its victory total from a year ago and had its first double-digit win season since 2017. This year's improvement could lead to greater results in the future.

"Overall we had a great season. Going from five wins last year to 10 with a young team is impressive," said Hawk coach Stephanie Bronstad. "We are working to build our softball program and it takes time."

Bronstad and assistant coach Barb Haag were especially pleased with the Hawks' play in the field, observing that the 2022 squad was one of the best defensive teams they've seen in their years at H-M-S. Hard work in the offseason will focus on further improvement.

This year's lone senior was Bailey VerHelst, who settled into the catcher's role as the season progressed.

"She came to the program from Clay Central/Everly and rounded out to be a great team player," Bronstad noted. "She never complains, does what is asked of her and gives her all. She will be greatly missed."

Statistical leaders for the 2022 season are as follows.

• Batting

Hits: Gracie Knobloch 34, Kinsey Schirmer, Eliza Tewes 23, Cadence Klein 22, Bailey VerHelst 20, Abby Kunzman 17, Abby Otto 15, Meghan Larson 10, Kamryn Ebel 6, Delaney Murphy 5, Alexis Grover, Frankie Mohni, Addison Sheeler 3.

Doubles: Knobloch 9, VerHelst 6, Tewes 5, Klein, Schirmer 4, Larson 3, Ebel, Kunzman 1.

Triples: Knobloch 3, Schirmer 1.

Home Runs: VerHelst 1.

Runs Batted In: VerHelst 22, Knobloch 16, Schirmer 15, Klein 10, Tewes 9, Kunzman, Otto 6, Larson 5, Grover, Murphy 2, Morgan Grooters, Ebel 1.

Sacrifices: Kunzman, Otto 2, Ebel, Klein, VerHelst 1.

Runs: Knobloch 26, Schirmer 25, Klein 13, Kunzman, Otto 10, Tewes 9, Larson 6, Grooters 5, Murphy, VerHelst 4, Grover, Mohni, Sheeler 3, Ebel, Lindsey Van Es 2.

Walks: Knobloch 21, Kunzman, Schirmer 9, VerHelst 8, Otto, Tewes 6, Sheeler 5, Grover 4, Klein, Mohni 3, Ebel, Murphy 2, Larson 1.

Hit by Pitch: Otto 2, Kunzman, Murphy, Schirmer, Tewes 1.

Steals: Knobloch, Otto 4, Grooters, Klein, Kunzman, Larson, Murphy 1.

Batting Average: Knobloch .548, Murphy .385, Tewes .359, Schirmer .324, VerHelst .308, Larson .294, Klein, Otto .268, Ebel .261, Kunzman .246, Grover .188, Mohni .158, Sheeler .107.

• Pitching

Ebel: 14 games, 10 starts, 55.2 innings, 247 opponents at-bats, .356 batting average against, 88 hits, 82 runs, 73 earned runs, 29 walks, 20 hit batters, 47 strikeouts, 9.18 ERA, 2.10 walks/hits per inning pitched.

Knobloch: Games pitched 17, games started 14, 78.2 innings, 349 OAB, .298 batting average against, 104 hits, 108 runs, 80 earned runs, 64 walks, 10 hit batters, 96 strikeouts, 7.12 ERA, 2.14 WHIP.

Kunzman: Games pitched 1, games started 1, 4.0 innings, 18 OAB, .333 BAA, 6 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, 3 hit batters, 1 strikeout, 7.00 ERA, 2.25 WHIP.

Schirmer: Games pitched 1, 1.1 innings, 7 OAB, .429 BAA, 3 hits, 4 runs, 4 earned runs, 3 walks, 21.00 ERA, 4.50 WHIP.

(Note: individual win/loss records were not included in final stats.)

• Team

Batting: 611 at bats, 125 runs, 184 hits, 146 singles, 33 doubles, 4 triples, 1 home run, 95 runs batted in, 7 sacrifices, 79 walks, 6 hit by pitch, 22 reached on error, 152 strikeouts, .301 batting average, .386 on base percentage, .373 slugging percentage.

Base running: 13 stolen bases, 18 attempts, 228 total bases.

Pitching: 139.2 innings, 621 OAB, .324 BAA, 201 hits, 199 runs, 161 earned runs, 99 walks, 33 hit batters, 144 strikeouts, 8.07 ERA. 2.15 WHIP.

Fielding: 158 assists, 421 putouts, 50 errors, 629 chances, .921 fielding pct.