IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR FOR SOFTBALL

Jo Ellen Travis, Treynor School teacher and girl’s softball coach, spoke to club members about the very successful year that recently concluded for the softball team at the state tournament where Treynor ranked third in Iowa. Travis stated the state tournament was really fun, especially the first game which Treynor won by a large margin. The Treynor girl’s lost to larger schools in the tournament, Travis explained, and many of the players for those schools only play one sport-softball. According to Travis the Treynor girls had more luck getting to the state tournament this year. This year and last the win-loss record was similar. The team batting average this year was 0.333 and the fielding was 0.956, the same as last year. Travis stated that several school records were set by team members the past two years. Lea Hartigan set a record batting average of 0.520. She had a career average of 0.437. Travis noted that there was a core group of players that have been together for three years. The entire infield except for the pitcher graduated. These four seniors were on the All Academic Team. There were three 8^th graders playing this year, but the outlook for upcoming players is not so promising. Travis emphasized that we need more than two little league softball and baseball fields in Treynor to facilitate ball player interest and development.

Next year, Travis explained, the softball season will start two weeks earlier, mainly to keep seniors engaged for the season. District playoffs will start on July 2 and the State Tournament will be July 15-19. Maybe next year, Travis noted, she will actually be able to take a vacation before school starts up again.