Half of Tribe roster is freshmen

Twelve athletes saw significant varsity playing time last season. There won’t be a chance for the Indians to get many more players than that on the field this season.
Fort Recovery High School’s softball team has just 14 players on its roster, and half of those are freshmen.
“Those upperclassmen have really taken those freshmen and helped them through,” said FRHS coach Marie Osterholt. “The freshman class is very talented.
“The upperclassmen are being great role models for them. They all work very hard and they have a lot of fun.
“We’re working on fundamentals. We’re working on situations and just trying to get ready.”
The team returns three players who had 50 or more at bats last season, including catcher Jackie Fullenkamp. The junior is the returning leader across the board with a .403 batting average, 29 hits, 17 RBIs, 12 runs, eight stolen bases, seven doubles and a pair of home runs.
“She does a great job behind the plate, just fantastic,” said Osterholt. “She’s got a great bat. … She’s got a great arm. She knows the game very well.”
Also returning are sophomore third baseman Haley Knapke, who hit .318 last season, and Maleia Fullenkamp, who will make the move from left field to center.
Shortstop Janelle Schwieterman will also be back after playing just seven games last season before she was in a car accident that put her in the hospital for three weeks. But the team will be without senior Melissa Lochtefeld, who suffered a torn ACL during the basketball season.
The rest of the starting lineup will include Ashley Homan at pitcher, Kelsee Ontrop at first base and Elizabeth Hipple in left field. Right field and second base are open to competition amongst the freshmen.
Despite her team’s youth, Osterholt is hoping to improve on last season’s 4-21 record.
“I’m always optimistic,” said Osterholt. “I think I’ve got a great bunch of kids, very hard workers. We’ll take one game at a time and see where it brings us.”[[In-content Ad]]