It has taken some time but as the Windham Bombers’ softball team enters its third season in the Tom VanKirk era, the team has slowly but surely rediscovered its pride. Despite returning only five starters amid a younger roster, the talent level is at its highest as Windham pursues its first winning season with VanKirk at the helm.
“One of the funny things is that as a roster we are more talented. We may not have one or two that stand out as far as state championship type abilities, but a as group I think we are more talented,” the third-year coach said. “I tell the girls all of the time that I think we are a better team this year than we have been just by being together and the energy that they bring.”
According to VanKirk, when he first took over the program two years ago, the biggest challenge was rebuilding the culture. He added that there was a lack of belief from his players but two years later, the Bombers have become a team that is once again enjoying themselves.
“The coaches do very little yelling across the field anymore and the girls have really owned the plays out there,” he noted. He said that Windham is rediscovering its identity. The players are showing that initiative and trusting their own instincts.
Only having two seniors on the roster, one of Windham’s cornerstones is senior pitcher and team captain Quinn Justham, who returns after recording a 3.787 ERA across 20.1 innings with a batting line of .340/.450/.440 over 16 games.
“She has been a rock the whole time I have been here,” VanKirk said. “Quinn is just steady, high-energy, positive and team-first all of the time. She is a player you can literally put in at every position.”
Despite graduating their ace pitcher Ke’Neese Cunningham, VanKirk said that the Bombers’ pitching depth remains strong as Justham returns as well as junior Libby Inman. VanKirk said that Windham does not have a true number one pitcher and will rely on several players to mind the pitching circle. VanKirk added that he also plans to bring up several junior varsity players to gain pitching experience, including freshmen Lillian Pesa-Garrett and Jaiden Moore
Inman will be counted on again in the pitching circle after hurling a 5.727 ERA across 14.2 innings while batting .118/.211/.118 in nine games.
In terms of offensive contribution, sophomore Alexandra Hudak returns after an impressive freshman season when she slugged .344/.571/.469 with four doubles, driving in nine runs in 15 games.
“She is a sophomore who plays some first base and outfield and is learning how to pitch,” VanKirk said. “She is one of our best hitters and might end up being our best player when it is all said and done.”
VanKirk also highlighted sophomore Makenzi Blockinger, junior Skylar Bailey, who hit .195/.340/.244 in 17 games, and sophomore Elena Tucker, who posted a .091/.231/.091 in eight games, as players who can propel the team by taking the next step themselves.
VanKirk said that while Windham’s hitters may not have power across their line-up, the Bombers make up for it by being an aggressive baserunning team.
The Bomber hitters’ success at getting on-base was demonstrated last year when they posted a .436 OBP.
“We have worked a lot on small ball, trying to get things moving that way and taking walks and being smart about that stuff and being hit by pitch to get on base,” he added. “Then the majority of our lineup one through nine will be able to hit singles and doubles in the gaps we think. We have a couple that might hit a home run here or there but we are going to be more about manufacturing runs than hitting for power.”
While it remains to be seen how quickly the Bombers’ success will translate on to the field, VanKirk said that the team is ready to finally make some noise in the Northeastern Athletic Conference for the first time in several years.
“If you are not from Windham, it is hard for you understand the mentality of people that live there,” he said. “There is always a chip on our shoulders. We are dismissed and most people don’t think much about us so when we have some success, it is just a big source of pride, saying look, we can do it too.”
Windham’s season begins when it faces neighborhood and Portage County rival Garfield at home on Saturday at 11 a.m.
