Satisfied? No Way

Earlier last week, Park Hill’s softball team defeated Oak Park for the first time in over a decade. With a good start to the conference season, Park Hill isn’t so much looking to build on last season, but to do much better.

“I would not be happy with just surpassing last year’s record,” Sullinger said. “This year we have higher goals, we should be a lot better than that.”

Up to this point, ace pitcher Kati Snodgrass, who hasn’t walked a better all season, and catcher Michele Rupard , have led a solid Trojan defense so far this season. Bethany Sullinger and Kelsey Samenus have also contributed early. As the season goes on, the difference maker for the Trojans could be their offense. Up to this point, it has come and gone from game to game. Through eight games, offensive leaders include Rupard, Samenus, Kylie Ball, and Kayla Reynolds. A quality hitting performance from the Trojans could mean trouble for their opponents.

At 4-4, Sullinger thinks they should have a better record, but his main concern is rounding out the team as a whole.

“It’s about trying to find that unity,” Sullinger said. “Traditionally, we’re a team that will get better as the season goes on.”

Senior Kati Snodgrass, who her coach describes as a work horse, will pitch in a majority of her team’s games. After five starts, she is 3-1 with a 1.20 earned run average and 27 strikeouts. Based on how much she has improved and matured, Sullinger hopes to use her as much as possible this season. When Snodgrass isn’t pitching, the Trojans have looked to freshman Makenzi Porter, who has shown her ability to step up at the varsity level.

As quick as the high school softball season is, if the Trojans can put together quality pitching performances with a consistent offensive attack at the right time, they could make a run in the district tournament.