Houston, TX – The Indian Hills Softball team is set to open the 2022 season with a 10-game road trip to Texas, starting Friday afternoon. The Warriors look to use the week-long stretch in the Lone Star State as a measuring stick for a trip to the national tournament.
"Going down to play in Texas is thinking with the end in mind," stated head coach Lindsay Diehl. "We know we are going to play tough competition, be challenged and get uncomfortable at times on this trip. It's a great measuring stick to see what we are doing well and areas we need to keep getting better at. All these teams are tough which is what we want. I want them to be pushed and have to make adjustments. It only makes us better for May."
The Warriors, who are coming off a 41-13 season that saw its season end in the NJCAA Midwest District Championship game after claiming the NJCAA Region XI Championship, open up the season Friday against No. 8 nationally ranked San Jacinto College (TX) in Houston, TX. The Warriors follow-up with a doubleheader Saturday at perennial national power Galveston College (TX) and a pair of games at Alvin Community College on Sunday. Following a day off on Monday, the Warriors return to action with two games at Tyler Junior College (TX) on Tuesday and cap off the Texas trip with two games at Paris Junior College on Wednesday.
Diehl, who enters her fourth season at Indian Hills with a 93-37 record, is making the trek to Texas for the third time in four years. "Going into the third trip south, I know a little more of what to expect from this trip than year one. I expect us to go on a roller coaster of how we play and respond to situations. Some of these teams have 16 games on us. They have already figured some things out and we are going to have to do some things wrong to get it right for the next time and I'm ok with that. We want to win, we hate to lose, but big picture we want to get better and grow from this trip."
Eight Warriors bring veteran leadership entering the 2022 season. Diehl will look to a number of individuals on both sides of the game to lead the team. Along with the sophomore class, the Warriors welcome in 13 new faces to the program that Diehl sees as integral pieces to returning to the NJCAA DI Softball National Tournament for the first time since 2019.
"I think there are 21 key players for us to get to Yuma, but we will lean on a few returners to guide us and lead the way and we need some freshman to figure it out quickly."
Bryanna Mehaffy (Burlington, IA/Burlington) returns as the reigning ICCAC Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Region XI selection after leading the squad with a .476 batting average. "Bryanna Mehaffy will be a leader on the infield as well as in the lineup," Diehl noted. "She wants the ball hit to her and she wants to be up, we need kids to follow that lead."
The team's top returning hurler in the circle, Margot van Eijl (Oosterhout, Netherlands/Calandlyceum) returns after a First-Team All-Region XI year in 2021. van Eijl won 10 consecutive games to open her freshman season and finished the year with a 14-2 overall record. Diehl sees the sophomore righty as a leader in a group of talented arms. "Margot will lead the pitching staff but is surrounded by a staff that has worked hard and grown a ton in spin, speed and accuracy over the winter."
Managing the pitching staff will be Kennedy Preston (Carlisle, IA/Carlisle) who Diehl sees as an impact player both offensively and defensively. Preston boasted a .415 batting average and .708 slugging percentage last season. "Kennedy Preston will lead from behind the plate, working with the pitchers and taking command of the field as well as offensively. She has really gained confidence and consistency in her swing."
Breanna Newton (Bettendorf, IA/Bettendorf) posted a .392 batting average last year after connecting on 12 home runs to go along with 50 RBI. Diehl sees Newton as a primary contributor in an explosive offense for the Warriors. "Breanna Newton was an offensive threat last year and we expect her to pick right back up where she left off."
Diehl will look to a loaded freshman class to make an immediate impact on the team's trip south. "Destiny Lewis will be an anchor in our offense and plays solid defense. We need her to jump in and do what she does. Yanna Roberts will lead the outfield and bring speed to our lineup."
Indian Hills is primed to begin its quest for its 25th NJCAA Region XI Championship, and a loftier goal, the team's 21 NJCAA DI Softball National Tournament appearance in Yuma, AZ May 24-28.