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Fabulous freshmen add bats, defense to surging softball team
Rookie contributions are a big reason SCSU is 22-3 and ranked 13th in latest Division II softball poll
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor First-year members of the SCSU softball team contribute to the Huskies� successful season of 22-3 overall. Pictured from left to right are Cally Stewart, Megan Fuches, Abby Velta and Jessica Swartout.
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Riding a record-breaking 14-game winning streak, the SCSU softball team is off to one of their best starts in school history. But if you think they're at their peak, you're dead wrong. The Huskies are lucky enough to have their own fountain of youth including six juniors, five sophomores, and most surprisingly, four freshmen that have been major contributors.
Abby Velta, Megan Fuches, Jessica Swartout, and Cally Stewart have been filling key roles in the Huskies' explosive lineup.
Velta, the left-handed lead off slapper, has provided swagger and blazing speed to the lineup. The Winnebago native is off to an impressive start this season hitting .346 with 28 hits and 20 runs in 81 at bats. She is third in the NCC with 13 stolen bases in 13 attempts. Her speed has not only made her a great base runner, but also a talented outfielder, with a perfect fielding percentage.
"She's playing right field now but she could probably play any position in the outfield, because she's so fast," said head coach Paula U'Ren. "Her explosive speed keeps teams on the edge, not knowing what she's going to do. She also brings great enthusiasm to the game."
With that enthusiasm displayed in a shameless amount of chatter, one thing is clear about Velta; she is not shy, or modest for that matter.
"I know I'm fast and they're not going to get me," she said.
The root of Velta's confidence may be traced back to fifth grade.
"I was kicked off the boys' team because I started taking some of their spots," Velta said with a smirk. "I guess their moms didn't like that."
Fuches, the cleanup hitter with a golden glove and a rocket arm, has jumped directly into a full-time role at third base. With little third base experience, being a second baseman her whole life, the Stillwater native has overcome the position change by proving that she is one of the Huskies' best defensive players.
"When I look at Fuchey at third base, even though before this season she saw limited time there, I think of her as our gold glove," Velta said. "Honestly, anything hit to her, isn't going to get by. I look at her as the best freshman coming in."
Fuches most certainly could be the most solid freshman. She has a batting average of .338 with 25 hits, four doubles, 14 RBIs, and one home run in 74 at bats. Considering she's batting fourth in the lineup, Fuches doesn't see very many ripe pitches. She has already walked seven times this season, second most on the team.
"She's hitting in the fourth spot in the lineup which is usually reserved for a more experienced hitter, but she's filled that role like she's been a veteran the whole time," U'Ren said. "She plays solid third base and has a cannon for an arm. She's really reliable on the corner."
Although the entire squad willingly relies on and trusts Fuches, she has not been able to escape the fate of being the team's center of humility.
"I'm the center of laughter off the field because I'm a freshman or whatever the reason is," Fuches said. "On the field, I quiet down more because I don't think I'm as comfortable because I am still a freshman. But I'm trying to get louder out there."
Swartout, the utility outfielder, has seen limited time this season due to injury, but is expected to contribute now that she is recovering. She saw her first action last weekend as the designated hitter but went 0-4.
"She wasn't able to get out on the field too much earlier in the season, a lot of it due to a dislocated knee," U'Ren said. "We look for her to fill the lineup with a strong bat."
Swartout has brought a pure joyful attitude to the squad that has been contagious to her teammates.
"She's got a good head on her shoulders and she's really strong, mentally as well as physically," Velta said. "If someone's down in the dumps she'll bring you back up. Just one word from her can bring a smile to your face."
Stewart is technically a freshman because she red-shirted at the beginning of the season last year after an ACL injury. Although it was a struggle for her to sit out the whole season, she gained experience by watching and studying her teammates.
"I feel like I know a little more than (the true freshmen) do just from being here last year," Stewart said. "I learned a lot just from being there and watching so I feel like I can help them through their season."
Now that Stewart is healthy, she has been a great addition offensively by batting second, and defensively as the centerfielder.
"She has really come on and stepped in as our two hitter. She has the ability to hit the ball long, she can drop bunts, to move Velta over," U'Ren said. "As the centerfielder she's in command out there and has really controlled the outfield like a veteran."
Stewart has a batting average of .293 with 22 hits, a team high 24 runs, 15 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .507 in 75 at-bats. She also has great speed, which has led to six stolen bases in six attempts.
Stewart, who is also from Stillwater, was one of the reasons Fuches chose SCSU. The two have played summer ball together since they were in fourth grade.
"That was a plus for me coming here," Fuches said. "It's nice to have Cally on the team because she has such a good attitude. She never gets down. She's one of my best friends that I've known all my life."
The freshmen have had no problem meshing with what has been a very young, yet accepting Husky ball club.
"I think we can all agree that we all get along and we have a lot of fun," Velta said. "As for the freshmen, I think we click very well and bring a variety of personalities. I'm lucky to be on this team."
The feeling is undoubtedly mutual towards the fabulous four freshmen who have brought major contributions, both on and off the field to one of the most talented SCSU teams in school history. Working together, Velta, Fuches, Swartout and Stewart, have become the future of what has become a consistently successful softball program at SCSU.
Bobby Hart can be reached at: [email protected]
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