16-21 does not tell the whole story.

The Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks softball season ended with a 3-1 loss to Center Point-Urbana in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. This season followed a 16-13 summer in 2022. 

The Hawks used this season for immense improvement, despite the record. They played in five tournaments against the best competition they could find, and the work almost resulted in an upset win against CP-U. 

Leading off the batting order was none other than rising junior Dakota Mitchell. She led the team in batting average (.439), on-base percentage (.519), walks (17), hits (50), triples (4), runs (32) and stolen bases (4). 

Coach Amy Hartsock-Williams commended Mitchell’s work, saying Mitchell works on her softball skills all year despite being a top volleyball player. 

Mitchell is not the only young talent destined to return. In fact, most of the team were still underclassmen, learning and growing together. Next season, Hannah Sellers will be the lone senior. 

The team will miss Madeline Schrader and Molly Yoder who brought speed to right and center field. They also brought leadership to the young team. 

Rising junior Sydney Knebel will likely step into a greater role next summer, already a top contributor to the team as an ace. She pitched in 26 games, starting 25. Her earned run average (ERA) was a respectable 3.39 and her hits per innings pitched (WHIP) of 1.32 was also good.

Knebel struck out 121 batters and batted well at the plate herself. Knebel knocked in the most runs at 32. Her batting average (.395) and on-base percentage (.439) were both second highest on the team. Knebel’s season highlight was a seven-inning shutout of a ranked West Liberty team on the road, June 22. The Hawks would win 5-0.

Rising sophomore Kadence Grout can take some of the pressure off of Knebel’s back next summer as her pitching abilities grow. Grout pitched in 12 games, arguably her most impressive was in the final outing of the year. Grout entered the game for a hurt Knebel and played lights out. If not for some mental errors by the defense, it’s likely that Grout pitches a shutout. 

Close friend of Knebel’s and the team’s backbone is Sophie Miller, the catcher. Miller was third in both batting average (.393) and on-base percentage (.435). Her 24 RBIs ranked fourth, only behind rising junior Brenna Jehle, Knebel and Mitchell. At catcher, Miller caught ten runners attempting to steal. Not many dared test her arm.

Jehle’s lone homer of the season was a big one. She hit a walk-off grand slam against West Branch at home on May 31. Jehle had the third most RBIs at 25. She was fifth in batting percentage at .333 and fifth in on-base percentage at .419.

The Hawks also garnered more young talent. Rising freshman Olivia Swartzendruber covered second base and came up clutch with a 2-RBI single to win against Wilton on June 8. 

Rising freshman Morgyn Bender also carved her spot in the roster, commanding left field. Hartsock-Williams believed Bender possessed tremendous defensive abilities, and that was showcased in the final outing when Bender made a diving effort in left field to steal a hit, getting the ball to second for the double play. 

Rising junior Brylee Gearhart didn’t get much time on the diamond, but when the occasion rose, she knocked a single against CP-U to spark a potential rally. 

The Hawks have a young talented roster and a coach determined to get the toughest matchups to brew the best out of the team. The Hawks will likely be looking for more when next summer approaches.