HDC softball prepares young team for season

With five seniors last season, the Hampton-Dumont-CAL softball team will have spots to fill in the lineup this season.

The Bulldogs feature just one senior and four juniors this year.

Coach Kelsey Enslin is focused improvement and growth through the season.

Ultimately, the team wants to compete in the conference and make a run during the postseason.

Experience gained over the season will be a big key to make those loftier goals.

“With a young team, we do lack experience in varsity level games,” Enslin said. “However, our juniors carry a lot of experience and our younger kids also have varsity experience, which helps a ton.”

Avery Hanson is one of those experienced players.

She was the sole pitcher for the team’s 10 games last season.

She held batters to an .197 batting average, striking out 74 batters last year.

Hanson was a monster at the plate last season, batting .514.

She led the team with 18 hits, seven doubles and 13 RBIs.

Sophomore Kylee Whipple is another experienced player to keep an eye on.

Going into her third year as a starter, Whipple had a batting average of .382.

Whipple had 49 putouts as the first baseman last season.

“[Whipple] has really taken control and confidence in her position at first base,” Enslin said.

Preparing for the season, the Bulldogs have worked on various situations.

Enslin said that having a sense of urgency and being ahead of a play will be a big key to success on the diamond.