(Avoca, IA) — The AHSTW softball team had a solid season this year, going 16-9 despite having just 1 senior and finishing tied for 4th in the Western Iowa Standings.
The Vikings used 2 young players rotating in the circle with 8th grader Etta Partlow showing tremendous promise, finishing with a 1.85 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 102 innings pitched. She was complimented by Junior Loralei Wahling (4.25 ERA). First year Head Coach Katie Pace says they both worked well together
Offensive numbers must improve for AHSTW — they only hit .267 as a team this season. Senior Graycen Partlow (.278, 0, 12) will leave a void at shortstop. Wahling was a solid contributor, batting .302 with 12 RBIs. The future of the offense will lie with 8th graders Etta Partlow (.329, 4, 14), Kennedy Wyman (.369, 0, 10) and Clara Pace (.333, 0, 15). Pace says they’ve seen good signs in the batting cage but it has not completely translated to the games.
The Vikings play in a tough conference with 2A runner up Audubon plus Missouri Valley and Riverside all with 20 wins or more. Plus throw in a tough Treynor team. Pace hopes the tough competition will make her team better next year
AHSTW will be young again next season with only 1 senior but a lot of talent. They could be a team to watch.
