The Aplington-Parkersburg softball team seemingly couldn’t catch a break when it came to dealing with injuries throughout the season. Senior outfielder Jordan Trueblood, senior infielder Ada Switzer and freshman pitcher Aubrey Williamson each sustained injuries that kept them out for the remainder of their seasons.
“Obviously lot of contributing factors to that win-loss record, with key injuries, particularly to our pitching staff,” Head Coach Travis Walker says. “It was definitely a grind to make it all the way through the year with our pitching difficulties and the injuries we faced. Overall, I still had a great season with the kids and it was a great group of girls, and they really competed to the best of their ability.”
Fortunately, juniors Ellie Reints and Zoey Uhlenhopp joined the team mid-season and played crucial roles, with Reints pitching and Uhlenhopp playing first base.
“Ellie and Zoey had a busy summer planned and they weren’t out for the team at the beginning of the year, but obviously they’re two tremendous kids and really stepped up to help the team out just to finish the year. It kind of sounds dramatic to say, but they literally did save the season. There would have been games we couldn’t have played without their help and their contributions. And I was just super, super happy that they came out and helped us out. Definitely indebted to them.”
Eva Walker was an NICL-Central first team all-conference selection at shortstop, Trueblood was a second team selection in the outfield, and Avery Freund earned honorable mention honors. Walker was also a Northeast District all-district selection.
They went 3-22 and 0-12 in conference play.
Travis Walker interview:
