Photo from 2013 season by Jan Schipper
Jena Root’s first order of business as Burr Oak’s head softball coach was to address last season’s struggles — hardships that the Bobcats probably wouldn’t mind forgetting.
“I told them at the beginning of the year already that their record was not ok,” Root said. “I’m not ok with that. And, they have been working really hard.”
That hard work and the fact that Burr Oak brings back everyone from last year’s team has been reason enough for careful optimism this year, as the Bobcats look to put a two-win season behind them.
The Bobcat’s linchpin in Jade Summey returns for one more season before she heads off to Glen Oaks Community College to join their team next year. Summey finished last season with 40 hits and a batting average that eclipsed the .500 mark. She scored 31 runs and drove in 19.
“(Summey) is doing a really good job as a leader,” Root said. “I’ve seen a lot of leadership in all my seniors.”
Michaela Ultz is another proven threat returning for the Bobcats, finishing last year batting .317 and scoring 23 runs while driving in five. Kyhann Currier and Hannah Root finished last season with 11 and 10 RBIs respectively. Catcher Chelsey Boyd was also a .300 hitter that returns.
After leaning almost exclusively on Ultz for pitching last year, Root said that Hannah Root and eighth grader Sydney Owners will likely shoulder much of the duties this year.
All things considered, it looks as if the Bobcats have all the tools in place to, at the very least, vault their way from the depths they found themselves in last year.
“Our coaching staff has high expectations for this team,” Jena Root said. “They have a lot of athletic ability and have been working really hard at practice. They have the potential to have a great season.”
A look at the Bobcats
Coach: Jena Root (first year)
Last season: 2-26 overall, 2-15 SCAA
Returning letterwinners: Michaela Ultz (Sr., 1B); Ashley Boyd (Sr., OF); Jade Summey (Sr., SS); Jade Lown (Jr., CF/P); Kyhann Currier (Jr., 3B/OF); Chelsey Boyd (Soph., C); Lori Coburn (Soph., OF); Lexi Habib (Fr., 2B/OF); Paige Murphy (Fr., OF); Hannah Root (Fr., P/2B); Megan Schipper (Fr., 1B/OF).
Newcomers: Shay Murphy (8th, OF); Brook Cooper (8th, INF/2B); Sydney Owens (8th, P/3B).