Shrader steps down as softball head coach

It?s the end of an era for Washington softball.

The Demons saw their longtime head coach of 15 years step down from her position on Wednesday at the Washington School Board meeting, as her resignation was accepted.

?I was trying to do what I thought was best for the players and the program,? Angie Shrader said. ?We haven?t been necessarily stuck in a rut, but consistently finishing second in conference and making it to regional semifinals or the game to go to state. Aside from the 2012 and 2013 years, we haven?t been able to get over the hump.

?For the program to grow, we need to change things a little bit. I felt that me stepping down was something that needed to happen to make softball in Washington a little bit better.?

Under Shrader?s tenure, the Demons saw two state tournament berths in 2012 and 2013, which saw them go a combined 62-23 and finish fourth in both state competitions.

The Demons also finished as a regional finalist in 2014, after going 16-22.

?Softball is probably the best sport in the world,? Shrader said. ?There are so many elements to it, and so many different aspects of the game someone can be successful at. We?ve had some phenomenal athletes and great assistant coaches who have been a part of this program. To be a part of it is something special.?

When thinking back over her career, Shrader was struggling to come up with just one moment that stood out to her, with many great memories flowing through.

?There are a lot of them,? Shrader said. ?I can?t even remember exactly what year it was, but we were playing Colfax-Mingo, the defending state champions, and they were expected to be returning champions. We went into extra innings and eventually won. It was one of those moments that started to put something into Washington softball. Nobody expected us to win the game.?

Last season was a rebuilding year for the Demons, as they went 7-27, but appear to have  a strong core, after losing two seniors from the 2015 team.

With seven of the top eight hitters in terms of average expected to return to next season?s team, whoever takes the helm should have a bevy of experienced talent available.

?(The new coach needs to) have fun with it,? Shrader said. ?You are going to have some phenomenal athletes that will get after it and work hard. They can do great things. My decision had nothing to do with last year and is something that has been on my mind. I want them to love softball. It would make me the happiest person in the world if they went to state next year and won a state title. That would mean I stepped down at the right time for the program to get them to the next level.?

Shrader will remain a physical education teacher at Washington Middle School after the resignation.