Trojans look to repeat as UIC champs

By Becky Walz,

The Turkey Valley softball team is ready to pick up where last season ended – as the Upper Iowa Conference champs. Leading the way will be a quartet of four-year starters for the Trojans and two others who are starting for their third season.
Leading the way for the Trojans is Junior Hackman who is back for his fourth season.

UIC champs
Posting a 16-0 UIC record, the Trojans clinched the conference title for the first time since the 2007-08 season and entered the postseason with just one loss. Following a first-round bye, TV hosted Kee High for the regional quarterfinal and ended its season by a score of 19-10. 
The Trojans finished the season with a 17-2 overall mark and had a batting average of .375 with a .486 on-base percentage. As a team, TV rapped out 203 hits which included five homers, two triples and 51 doubles, scoring 234 runs. The pitching staff had a 2.81 earned run average (ERA) with 87 strikeouts recorded.
When the season was over, the Trojans said goodbye to a pair of seniors who earned all-UIC honors — Jaedyn Winter and Jordan Lukes.

Power back
At the top of the list of returnees for TV are four all-UIC selections.
Josie Weber will be back in the pitcher’s circle after an 11-2 record and 1.48 ERA a year ago. During her sophomore campaign, J. Weber hit .516 with a .590 on-base percentage. She led the Trojans with 33 hits including nine doubles to go with 24 RBI.
At first base will be senior Aleah Hackman after rapping out 23 hits a season ago. She posted a .390 batting average and drove in a team-high 33 runs.
Behind home plate, Kara Reicks will don the catcher’s gear once again. Last season she connected for 23 hits, drove in 15 runs and had a .365 average.
Jalyssa Blazek will be roaming the outfield after crossing home plate 29 times last year and driving in 21 runs. As a sophomore, Blazek had a .400 batting average and had 11 doubles in her 26 hits.
Aside from the returners, TV has 10 sophomores battling for playing time. Promising newcomers looking to find a place on the team include Brianna Busta, Clare Courtney, Aubrey Hoffert, Jacqlyn Schmitt and Olivia Snyder.

Repeat champs?
With seven starters back on the diamond, the Trojans are experienced and are hungry to finish at the top of the league once again. Coach Hackman anticipates seeing MFL MarMac and South Winn rising to the top as well.
“However, coming off an undefeated conference season last year, we are the team to beat in the conference,” Coach Hackman said. “Our biggest concern is the late start we got on the season due to 10 girls participating in state track.”

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