Indians Claim Numerous Postseason Awards
by Wade Steinlage
A successful season warranted numerous accolades for the Oskaloosa Indian softball team.
Following a 27-9 season in which OHS was ranked in the top 10 for most of it and finished second in the conference, the program collected 12 total laurels.
The awards season began three weeks ago with seven Indians earning all-Little Hawkeye Conference laurels. The all-LHC group was headlined by first-teamers Maddie Haines as an infielder and Josie Bunnell as an outfielder, while the quartet of Hayle Hacker (pitcher), Meghan Moorman (catcher), Ava Vande Wall (infielder), and Anna Jones (utility) garnered second-team recognition. Outfielder Taylor Willis was named to the honorable-mention squad as well.
Haines and Bunnell then represented the Indians at both the Iowa Girls Coaches Association district and state levels, with each individual receiving first-team honors for each award.
Head Coach Jay Harms was also tabbed as Southeast District Coach of the Year as well.
Just a freshman, Haines was on the first crew at all three levels after leading the Indians in most offensive categories. She owned a .421 batting average (45-for-107) with 13 doubles, seven home runs, 34 RBIs, and 35 runs scored. Haines posted a .488 on-base clip and a .738 slugging mark.
Bunnell closed out her prep career by joining Haines on all of the first teams. She was a close second to Haines in many offensive areas, while leading OHS in home runs with eight. The senior hit .376 (38-for-101) with 10 doubles, 28 RBIs, and 34 runs scored. Bunnell, who walked a team-high 12 times, also managed a .457 on-base percentage and a .713 slugging clip.
Hacker posted a 20-6 record with a 2.59 Earned Run Average in her freshman campaign. In 167 1/3 innings, she struck out 111 batters against 57 walks and limited opponents to a meager .203 batting average.
Moorman notched a .371 clip at the plate, going 36-for-97 with four doubles, 16 RBIs, and five runs scored. The sophomore had a .415 on-base clip and a .412 slugging mark.
Vande Wall hit .342 as a sophomore, ending up 39-for-114 at the dish. She recorded 11 doubles, one triple, one home run, 29 RBIs, and 30 runs scored. The sophomore finished 2018 with a .377 on-base mark and a .482 slugging percentage.
Jones culminated her high school career by hitting .365 (42-for-115), including one double, one triple, 17 RBIs, and 31 runs scored. The team leader in steals with 11, the senior also had an on-base clip of .402 and a slugging percentage of .391.
Wills produced a .337 batting average (34-for-101) as a sophomore with five doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs, and 20 runs scored. Her on-base percentage was .385, while her slugging mark was .406.
Harms’ team posted a .356 hitting mark overall with 19 home runs. The Indians were also strong on defense with a .959 fielding clip.
