Category: Softball

COVID-19 Casts a Shadow Over Winter and Spring Sports Prep

Jeffersonville High School athletes are trying to keep in shape and healthy even as there are some concerns about how things will unfold this year with COVID-19.

Basketball, a winter sport, presents many challenges specific to the sport such as physical contact, touching the same ball, and being played inside. Sophomore boys basketball player Conner Lyons has some concerns but is ready to start the new season. He says his most pressing concern is “guarding people and close contact,” but Lyons’ concerns are overpowered by his drive to get back out on the court. “It’s always been my dream and that’s what I want to do when I get older,” he says. As of right now, the first game for Jeffersonville boys basketball is scheduled for December 5.

Members of the Jeff High baseball team, who have already lost their spring season this year, are trying to stay positive but realistic despite losing some senior talent. Baseball also has the benefit of being a more spaced out game that is played outdoors. Sophomore baseball player Sam Whallen isn’t getting his hopes up, saying, “we might not end up playing this season because of COVID.” The Jeff High baseball team’s first game is scheduled for April 2. 

Members of the Jeff High softball team are also trying to prepare for a spring season in 2021. Senior Danielle Monroe says the team is beginning winter workouts, which are different this year because of social distancing. Still, she feels like the effort will pay off in the spring. “I’m hopeful. I think we’ll have a season,” Monroe says. “I really hope so because it’s my senior year.”

The Indiana High School Athletics Association (IHSAA) has said the organization is committed to letting students play, saying they believe it is “essential to the physical and mental well-being of student-athletes to return to organized physical activity and build team relationships with their peers and coaches.”

Although every sport has its own precautions for the safety of players, coaches and fans, they have one thing in common: in the age of COVID, athletes are optimistic but unsure about the future.

Story by Caleb Vincent

by jhshyphen

Sports: Spring Previews- Softball

softball-elliott-and-coach

Softball Starts Season With a Win

The Jeffersonville High School softball team started their season with a win against Butler High School on March 18. Last season the team ended with a record of 11-17, but this season we should see a lot of improvement. Coach Shadd Clarke thinks this season is going to be different from others due to all the talented underclassmen and impressionable seniors. “I’m excited for this season because we have lots of new, young talent and strong senior leadership,” said Clarke.
The team has three returning seniors (Casey Schweitzer, Cassidy Bott and Elizabeth Coons), two of which are signed to play in college. “I think this is going to be our most successful season in about 5 or 6 years, definitely the most successful season since I’ve been here,” Schweitzer said. In addition, Jeff softball is receiving the largest amount of experienced freshmen that we’ve seen in a long time. “I think we’ll much better this year. There are a lot of good incoming players,” said freshman Elliot Mays.
Throughout the season the team is looking forward to rivalry games. “Our rivals are mainly New Albany and Floyd Central, but really any conference team,” Clarke said. “Another rival is Assumption, from Louisville.”

Written by Joselen Lopez and Mattie Blanton

Photo by Amber Rowe

With Reporting Assistance from Rachel Lowe

by jhshyphen

2017 Female Athlete of the Year: Faith Denig

story by Tristan Jackson

Just a few short months ago, Jeffersonville High School’s softball team was coach-less and unsure if they would even be playing this season.

Now, with first-year skipper Mike Coons at the helm, the team has gotten off to a 5-4 start after finishing 7-9 one season ago.

The Devils’ improvement this year has been facilitated by the play of junior 2B/SS Faith Denig, who is batting .320 on the season. Denig has also tallied nine runs and five RBIs in the team’s first nine games.

“This year we’re all adapting to a new coaching style but we’re doing pretty good,” Denig said. “Next year I really think we’ll be a competition and a threat to others.”

Denig not only brings incredible talent to the softball team, but she brings a sense of veteran leadership, as she’s been playing on the Varsity level since her freshman year.

“Her positive attitude helps us out all the time,” said junior Lindsey Nelson. “Her mentality on the field helps push other people to do things that will help us out in the long run.”

While softball is Denig’s main focus, as she has already committed to play in college at Ohio Dominican, she still finds time to man the goalie position for the girls soccer team at Jeff.

“Some nights I don’t get home until eight or later, and then I still have to stay up and do homework and then get up early again for workout and practices,” Denig said, on playing both sports. “But you have to find time if you want to do it.”

Even with a busy schedule juggling two sports, Denig also finds time to be one of the leaders in the radio and TV department for Jeff High’s radio station, 98.5 WJHI.

“Faith is one of the most hard-working students in the entire radio and TV department.” said junior Jason Monihon.

Denig has proven to be fantastic in everything she has found herself involved in her at Jeff, and that has earned her high praise from her coaches.

“Whenever you have a player like Faith who shows up everyday, plays wherever you tell her to, works hard, and never complains, that’s the type of player you want on your team,” Coons said.

Beyond high school, Denig plans on attending Ohio Dominican on a softball scholarship and majoring in business and communications. If her time at Jeff is an any indication of her future, it looks very bright.

by jalinernest