The North Butler softball team had a bounce back season (5-19 in 2024) with help from two Top of Iowa-East all-conference pitchers. One of those pitchers was Kamri Groen, who worked a bulk of the innings with a 1.40 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 26 games. Head Coach Austin Guerrero on strides made Groen in the circle and as a leader.
“I felt like she manned the circle and really understood that the game was played at her pace this season. She’s one of the hardest workers in our school as a whole as an athlete. She shows that each and every day as a leader for our softball program. She’s put the time in. Good things happen when you put all that time and hard work in each and every day,” says Guerrero. “She really stepped up for us as a leader. Her pitching was top notch this year and she really did a great job of hitting her spots. I feel like she went up four or five miles per hour in speed as well. If she works on her repertoire and adds a couple pitches, then she’ll be tough to hit as we move forward with her the next couple years.”
The second pitcher was Zoey Thompson, who had a 5.85 ERA and 13 strikeouts in five games. Guerrero on Thompson’s innings of work.
“She got a large majority of her innings of work this year in second games or third games of a tournament. Usually those second or third games you’re playing for a championship, or you’re playing to advance to get to a championship. We let her know her defense is going to have her back. She does a great job pitching to contact. She understands what her strength is and that’s keeping batters off balance. She did a great job for us in the limited innings she got.”
The Bearcats, after graduating Marcy Allan, are projected to return 16 players. Guerrero on what the team needs to do to continue its rise in 2A.
“Our mindset was tremendous this season. I think our girls got that taste of what victory can be and they want to compete every night. Our number one key is when you get to the diamond whether it’s practice or games, expect to get better, expect to put that time in and expect to compete. Our number two, is when you go and watch state tournament softball, that’s a goal of ours to get down there, hopefully next season. You got to be able to put solid contact up at the plate each and every time, one through nine. A lot of these teams are hitting the ball hard every single time and they have no drop off in their entire lineup. Our big key is get our swings in and make sure we’re making solid contact each and every time out at bat and be tough outs.”
North Butler concluded their season at 16-13.
