Fountain Central softball is all about continuing to build its program under Ric Walke. This season will be no different as FC looks to keep growing. After a 5-17 season last year and the loss of key seniors in Jerzi Hershberger and Maddie Medley and others, The Mustangs will now rely on a junior class to lead the way.
The Mustangs will have six juniors and one senior on this year’s team, however there will be limited varsity experience. Walke notes how his team isn’t rushing to find the perfect lineup or what will work.
“Early in the season we will use different line ups to see what works best,” he said. “Everyone has bought into doing what is asked of them and competing no matter where they play. The leadership comes from them doing just that. We do not have captains on this team we have leaders and they all have a role to play.”
Kacey Kirkpatrick will return and be one of those six juniors for the Mustangs this season. Last year she batted .361 at the plate and was second on the team with 12 RBI’s. Kirkpatrick will also be, as she was a year ago, the top pitcher for FC. Other juniors on the team include Sami Krout, Audree Brown, Katie Brown, Breann Townsend, and Zoe Foxworthy-DeJournett. Jill Pate will be the lone senior.
Walke also took the time to compliment all of his now upperclassmen for the time they spent in the off-season to put themselves in a position to be successful.
“Those girls have stepped up to lead more by example of hard work,” he said. “There were players that worked out all off season to improve. We also had a group that played travel ball this summer to improve their skills and fundamentals. We had a productive first few weeks of practice and are looking forward to our first game.”
After behind rained out in its season opener over the weekend, the Mustangs opened up their season Monday against Riverton Parke.
They’ll play the Panthers at home today before traveling to Crawfordsville on Thursday.
