Sports

Flint Hill Softball Touts Strong Underclassmen

Huskies hopeful young talent can lead them deep into the postseason

Despite a young roster, the Flint Hill softball team believes it has a shot to match or beat its 10-6 regular season record from last year.

Though last year's squad had many athletic upperclassmen, it lacked athletes who had experience in a competitive softball atmosphere. This year, the Huskies have several young players — particularly freshmen Monica Brendsel, Brittany deCamp and Michelle Abt, and sophomore Shea Bouchard — who also play on club teams. So while the starting lineup may be mostly underclassmen, Coach Andy Krug is hopeful for a strong season. 

"We've got the talent to stay in it this year and be a good team for the next few years," Krug said. "It's really exciting for us."

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Krug said he has a team filled with eager learners who work hard, which he predicts will bode well for the Huskies.

"Every day in practice they work really hard to get better. That's not always the case every year," Krug said. "They're listening, they're trying, they're paying attention. With that, I think we're going to get better as the season goes on."

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The Huskies' season has started out strong, winning the first two games of the season against Independent School League foes Bullis and Stone Ridge. Though the Huskies performed a 13-2 rout against Bullis, they had a tighter game against Stone Ridge for a win that gave the Huskies an edge by just one run.

The Huskies lost their first game of the season against Paul VI Catholic High School on Thursday. The game stayed tight until the sixth inning when the Panthers widened their lead to three runs, then widened it again to seven runs in the seventh. But the Huskies battled in the bottom of the seventh to score three runs of their own put the final score at 10-6. Last year, the Huskies lost to the Panthers 17-2. 

"I wasn't sure how we were going to do because I know Paul VI is a really good team, but I was really happy with how we handled it," Krug said. "It said a lot about what this team can do."

The young team is anchored by senior Maggie Jardot, a team captain and four-year varsity starting pitcher. While the Huskies anticipate keeping Jardot starting on the mound all season, they also know they now have the depth to switch things around if the situation arises. Four freshmen and a junior also pitch.

"I've pitched every game since I was a freshman, so it's nice to have some relief," Jardot said.

Jardot also touted the Huskies' offense this year, which has scored 32 runs in three games.

Though the team did not set specific goals for the season, they're beginning to have high hopes for how far they go.

"I don't know what to expect. I didn't walk in thinking we would win the ISL, but the more I'm around this team I'm not sure they don't have it in them," Krug said.

Jardot feels confident about the Huskies' postseason chances, as well: "If we're good this early in the season, I think we have a good shot at the ISL."

The Huskies face Seton School, a nonconference team, at 4 p.m. today.


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