Arlington softball looks forward to state softball run in Nebraska

Saturday's result, an 8-5 loss to Omaha Gross, wasn't the outcome that Arlington (Neb.) softball coach Janelle Lorsch and her Class C top-ranked Eagles have become accustomed to in 2015. But, boy, it sure makes for a terrific learning tool.

Following a 10-0 start on the season, Class C's top-ranked Eagles traveled to Omaha to tackle the 4-9 Cougars. Arlington jumped on top, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, before Gross Catholic rallied by scoring a run in the second, five more in the fourth and two runs in the sixth inning to secure the 8-5 upset.

"We really haven't had those compounded errors to this point in the season," Lorsch said in reference to the fourth inning. "In the past, when we've made mistakes, we've been able to kind of avoid internalizing things so much. When you walk somebody, commit an error or strike out, it's how you react to those situations that counts. We had a bad inning, momentum changed and we couldn't stop the bleeding."

Lorsch's roster is loaded with plenty of talent and experience. But she lists just two seniors among the 18 players that hit the diamond for her every day. Her starting lineup also features three juniors, three sophomores and a pair of freshmen.

The nine-year veteran at the helm of the Eagle program credits a strong youth program that not only prepares Arlington softball players with the physical tools needed to be successful, but also gives them the mental edge to step right in and play as freshmen.

The Eagles, who won the Class C state championship in 2012, are a solid-hitting bunch up and down the lineup, according to Lorsch. While most softball teams try to avoid the opposition's 3-4-5 hitters, Lorsch said teams can't do that to the Eagles without paying a price.

"So far we've had different players step up and have big games," Lorsch said. "It's never the same two people. If you try to pitch around us, our 6-7-8-9 hitters are going to have big games."

Leading the way at the plate for Lorsch is returning Class C all-state senior catcher Sabrina Luttig, who is hitting a spicy .700 through 11 games, has ripped seven doubles and has successfully hit homers a team-high four times in 2015.

Luttig leads the team with 16 runs scored, 21 hits and has 14 runs batted in. At present, Luttig is the school record holder for home runs in a season (10 in 2014) and for her career (15) with several games left to play.

Junior outfielder Hannah Thompson, also a returning all-stater, is hitting .531, and leads the team with 17 RBIs and is second on the team with 14 runs scored and 17 hits. Thompson has poked a trio of doubles and has the only other round-tripper for Lorsch.

Hitting .433 with 13 runs scored and 13 hits to go along with five RBIs is junior Brook Hoesing, while senior Rachel Vogt is hitting .419 with 12 runs scored, 13 hits and eight RBIs. Maggie Schmidt, a freshman, is pummeling the ball at a .333 clip and has 14 runs scored, 11 hits and seven RBIs to go along with five doubles.

Sophomore May Hoesing, also hitting .333, has successfully scored nine runs, swatted eight hits including four doubles, and has helped her team by knocking in four runs. Junior Makenna Brester is hitting .324, has scored a couple of runs, belted 11 hits and has 10 RBIs.

Just a freshman, Taylor Wakefield is hitting .308, has scored 10 runs while pounding out eight hits and has been credited with three RBIs. Katrina Fietek and Karlee Voss have scored one and four runs, respectively, in 2015, while Riley Wilkins knocked in an RBI.

Alexa Brenn is hitting .267 as a sophomore and has eight hits, six runs batted in and a pair of doubles, while also performing as the Eagles' workhorse in the pitching circle. Lorsch said she does have three pitchers to choose from, but that Brenn has gone all the way for the Eagles in 2015.

To date, Brenn has given up 34 hits in 55 innings pitched and allowed 19 runs, seven of which have been earned. Brenn has 78 strikeouts while walking 20 batters and has given up three doubles and a home run. Opposing batters are hitting just .170 against her collectively.

"Alexa has about half a dozen strikeouts in almost every game," Lorsch said. "She has great command of her pitches. She might not have a ton of pitches, but what she does use is effective. She brings a lot of energy to the mound and is having fun out there. She likes to be our workhorse. She likes pitching a lot."

As a team, the Eagles are hitting .333 with 91 hits in 273 at-bats and have scored 95 runs. Arlington has swatted 24 doubles and five home runs through 11 games. However, Lorsch said this Eagle team is also the fastest squad she has had in a long time, and that speed in itself has created plenty of offense and allowed the Eagles to make plays on defense.

Through 11 games, the Eagles have stolen 31 bases, led by Thompson's seven thefts and five more each from Schmidt and Brook Hoesing. Lorsch credited her captains Thompson and Brook Hoesing for giving the team a lift when needed.

"They lead by example," Lorsch said. "Those two hit the ball so well and they play great defense, and that helps build energy. When they get a hit the others seem to follow. When they get an out, the others pick it up. They talk to the younger girls about going out and getting the job done. They bring all-state talent and all-star teammate quality to the dugout everyday."

Lorsch, 90-34 during her past five campaigns, said she is pumped for the rest of the season as the Eagles move on from their lone blemish in 2015. The first real test will arrive this weekend when Lorsch and company host their own tournament.

Then it's on to tackle a couple tough opponents in Fort Calhoun Sept. 24 and Class C No. 4 Bishop Neumann Oct. 1. Fort Calhoun sits in the upper echelon of the Nebraska School Activities Association's power points, which are used to determine the wild card representatives at the state tournament.

As the regular season winds down and readies for the postseason, the Eagles will be hosting their own district tournament once again. A year ago, the Eagles lost in the district final despite building a 9-3 lead in the early going and failed to make the state tournament field.

"Talk about a swing," Lorsch recalled of the district loss. "We have the drive and desire to not let that happen again. The girls are real hungry to get to state this year."