MARION: Marion softball begins new era
Staff writer
Judy Noller will have weapons at her disposal in her first year as head coach of the Marion softball team.
Noller is taking over a squad that went 14-7 last year, including a 13-3 record in the Heart of America League. The Warriors return four players who received all-league honors.
Despite graduating starters who accounted for 43 percent of the team’s runs and RBIs, Noller expects her team to compete day in and day out.
“Although we lost four key players and two great coaches, we expect to have a successful season,” Noller said. “As a team, we always expect to give our best effort and be good teammates.”
The Warriors will be led by talented pairs of seniors and sophomores.
Senior Corrina Crabb will likely bat leadoff and play centerfield. She scored 28 runs while batting .349 and earning first-team all-league honors last year.
Fellow senior Tori Shults made the second team as a utility player. She can play all over the diamond, but expect her to play primarily first base.
Chisholm Waner will hit cleanup for the Warriors after a breakout freshman season. Waner was first-team all-league with a .378 batting average and 25 RBIs. She will be crucial to Marion’s success at the plate as well as on the mound.
Laura Savage was another freshman who made an immediate impact for Marion last season. Savage led the team in RBIs (26) and extra base hits (14) while maintaining a .361 batting average.
Sophomore Macy Sigel played all 21 games for Marion last year at catcher, and junior Grace Overton also returns as a pitcher and utility player.
Marion returns a solid squad from last year and will welcome new players to fill the roles of departed seniors. Noller expects team chemistry to be a strength.
“Our biggest strength is how the team supports one another and won’t let anyone get down on themselves,” Noller said. “We have strong senior leadership, solid pitching, plus we should be solid on defense.”
The Warriors will open their season today at Council Grove.
Last modified March 27, 2019