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Quest for a three-peat
3A No. 1 Williamsburg keeps mindset of opportunity and excitement over pressure
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — With big expectations come big possibilities.
The Williamsburg softball team is coming off back-to-back state championships in Class 3A and began it’s quest for the illustrious three-peat with an 11-1 win over Anamosa Tuesday.
“The perspective that we’ve kind of tried to have is that not very many teams are ever going to get a chance to win three state championships (in a row),” Williamsburg coach Adam Berte said.
“That should be something to be really excited for, not something to feel a lot of pressure to try to do.”
Keeping the mental side sharp is important, and the Raiders have a unique way of doing so.
“We do a book study together,” Berte said. “People sharing their personal thoughts together. That shared experience is good for them and helps create a better team atmosphere.”
On the diamond, the 3A No. 1 Raiders return eight starters and may just have their best team yet.
“We have a lot of experience returning, and we have more pitching depth then we’ve ever had,” said Berte. “We should be able to put a lineup together that’ll be lined with really tough outs, with speed off the bench.”
Jersey Metz was a first team all-state selection last season as the team’s primary pitcher.
Metz threw seven strikeouts in the four inning win Tuesday and looks to be improved from last season.
“She’s definitely throwing faster,” Berte said. “Her spin is tighter this year with more cut.”
The Raiders also have four other pitchers they feel good about, especially for the second games in doubleheaders this season.
One of the four is freshman Braylee Plotz.
“I think people will be really impressed with Braylee once she gets out in a game,” said Berte.
From the batter’s box, Makenna Hughes has moved from the ninth spot to leadoff.
Hughes hit .384 last season and stole a school record 50 bases.
As a team, the Raiders stole 229 bases last season, ranking second in 3A. They have enough speed again this season to put up similar numbers.
The addition of Ava Hocker in the lineup as more than just a pinch-runner adds to the Raiders’ speed not just from the plate, but in center field.
“She’s definitely improved,” Berte said on Hocker as a hitter. “If she gets the ball in play, she’s a tough out.”
Other key hitters include the Raiders 3-4-5 in the lineup Tuesday, Taylor Pitlick, Alley Gorsh and Taylor Sanchez. All three hit over .349 last season with more than 30 RBIs.
As a freshman, Sanchez came on strong in the second-half of the season and was named 3A state tournament Most Valuable Player.
Sanchez hit five RBIs in the championship win over Davenport Assumption and has worked a lot on her game in the off-season.
“This (offseason) I've really tried to work on hitting all types of pitches,“ said Sanchez.
The Raiders are a tight-knit group that plays together as a team and wins with a collective effort.
“Everyone is there for each other,” Sanchez said. “No matter if someone took your spot or you’re trying to work to get their spot. Everyone is everyone’s biggest cheerleader.”
