“We’ve faced a lot of good pitchers all year long, not only in our conference but out-of-conference as well,” Roberts said. “I’m pretty hopeful it’ll continue, since we’ve been solid at the plate against just about everybody.”
Senior third baseman Claudia Spitzer has been a rocket launcher when she’s held a bat. She leads the team in doubles (13) and is second in both triples (4) and home runs (4). Spitzer, who has a .450 batting average, also leads the team with 34 RBIs.
“She’s hit the ball very hard and very consistently,” Roberts said. “She’s a multiple-year player and we were expecting her to do well since she’s experienced. We moved her to the three hole in our lineup, and she’s really come through for us. She’s had a lot of RBIs at critical moments, and that’s been a real plus.”
Junior first baseman Abbie Tuttle has the best batting average (.500) and on-base percentage (.561) on the team and also the most home runs (5). Madison Jones, Mary Britton and Aliya Saunders also have batting averages of .385 or better.
Britton, a senior, is in her third season as Shawnee’s starting pitcher and has a 2.95 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 123 innings. She’s been able to support her pitching efforts with 30 RBIs. Britton signed to play softball at Wittenberg in April.
“She was all-conference last year, and she’s really pushed herself to get back to that level this year,” Roberts said.
Shawnee was voted as the No. 2 seed in the six-team Tecumseh Division II sectional. The Braves open tournament play against No. 3 Graham (14-6) on May 11, and the winner will likely face No. 1 seed Kenton Ridge (18-3) in a sectional final May 16.
Shawnee split a CBC Kenton Trail Division series against Kenton Ridge in early April and lost 10-3 to Graham on April 20.
“Our sectional is that tough every year, and with all of us in the sectional being CBC teams, it makes it that much tougher since we’re all familiar with each other,” Roberts said. “Beating Graham and Kenton Ridge will be tough, but I believe we can do it. We’ve shown the ability to be able to.
“Whoever gets out of our sectional will certainly have earned their district spot. There won’t be any easy games.”
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