By Steve Carpenter
Hutchinson CC Sports Information Director

Since returning to the Division I level in 2019, it's been a steady progression upward for the Hutchinson Community College softball team.

The Blue Dragons were 26-16, but were eliminated from the Region VI Tournament in two games in 2019. The 2020 Blue Dragons got off to a tremendous start with an 18-6 start to the season and were in first place in the Jayhawk East when the season was halted because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Then last season, the Blue Dragons reached the Region VI Tournament winner's bracket final and finished the season 29-17.

Now entering her 18th season as head coach, Jaime Rose said the experience and depth is there for the Blue Dragons to make another deep postseason run in 2022.

The march toward the 2022 postseason starts Saturday with the season opener against the Ottawa University Junior Varsity at Fun Valley. The January 29 start date will be the earliest in Blue Dragon softball history.

"The softball gods are going to give us a break on opening day," said Rose, who is 486-332 in her first 17 years at Hutchinson and 524-386 in 19 overall seasons as a head coach.

Rose has her top three hitters, five overall position starters and a two-year pitcher returning from last season.

"We've added some pieces to an already good puzzle and we are looking forward to see how it plays out," Rose said. "Offensively, we should equal or be better than last year. There really shouldn't be a lot of holes in the lineup."

All eyes will be on reigning league Player of the Year and second-team NJCAA All-American Madison Grimes (Andale).

The Blue Dragons' returning starting shortstop shattered the Blue Dragon single-season record book hitting a whopping .562 batting average. Grimes also set season records for slugging percentage (.973), RBIs (78), total bases (142), runs scored (71), on-base percentage (.593) and extra-base hits (32). Grimes' 71 hits were second most in single-season history and her 36 stolen bases were also the second most in single-season history.

Likely hitting out of the No. 3 spot in the order, Grimes will have plenty of protection on either side of her in the lineup with the second and third leading hitters from last season also returning.

Third-year sophomore infielder Natalie Bevan (Augusta) hit .426 (58 for 136) with nine home runs and 58 RBIS. Outfielder Haley Miller hit .407 (59 for 147) with an on-base percentage of 479 and her 28 stolen bases tied for fourth in single-season history.

"Natalie had a breakout year last year and she's gotten stronger," Rose said. "Haley is hard to play against. She has her speed working for her and she can hit away. You can't cheat on her."

Also returning were starters Carley Sterneker (Wichita) and Easton Swanson (Olathe). Sterneker hit .360 (49 for 136) with six homers and 36 RBIs. Swanson hit .324 (47 of 145) with seven homers and 36 RBIs.

"This team is so talented with depth," Rose said. "We have settled on a lineup, but we have 6 or 7 others that we feel just as confident in."

Third-year sophomore Sadie Loney is the lone returnee in the pitching circle for the Blue Dragons. After an injury-plagued 2021 season where she started only 3 of 19 appearances, Loney posted a 5-1 record with two saves and a 3.37 earned-run average. Loney had 45 strikeouts in 43 2-3 innings and opponents hit .228 against here. The left-handed Loney was 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA.

Rose calls her 2022 pitching staff "the deepest we've ever had."

Joining Loney are freshmen Emily Munson (Omaha, NE), Morgan Pennycuff (Augusta), Kiersten Wietze (Spring Hill), and Riley Wertz (Wichita).

"Sadie has been in big-game situations in her career and has come through for us," Rose said. "We can lean on her. Kiersten Wietze is a transfer from Highland who pitched in the 2021 NJCAA Division II national tournament last season. The three incoming freshmen pitchers are the best pitching class a whole that we've ever brought in."

As far as who handles that pitching staff, Rose said she will start catcher Allie Stipsits (Olathe). Rose feels comfortable with four catchers on the roster.

The infield will start with Grimes at shortstop and sophomore transfer Lexie Pitcher (Wichita) at second. Bevan will move from first to third base and freshman Aspen Goetz (Derby) will take over at first.

The outfield will have Sterneker in left field and Miller moves to center. Freshman Ella Dougherty (Cross Timbers, MO) in right field. Dougherty will also hit in the leadoff spot to start the season. Swanson will be the designated player this season.