The 2010 Lebanon softball team fell one win short of coach Hank Feldt's goal, which was a Class 1A state title. But the Greyhounds provided plenty of thrills along the way.
Lebanon was 35-5 – including a 10-0 mark in the Kaskaskia Division of the Cahokia Conference – and outscored its opponents 333-56 on the way to a second-place finish in the state tournament. The Greyhounds lost 2-0 to Cobden in the championship game after a 22-2 semifinal win over Serena.
"We kind of messed up in that last game," Feldt said. "I don't know what happened, but we just had a bad game at the wrong time. We went from 26 hits and 22 runs one day to being shut out the next day.
"I was disappointed after the game was over because I wanted to win. But as far as the overall season, I wasn't unhappy at all."
The Greyhounds lost three players to graduation – second baseman Jenna Wood (.551, 35 extra-base hits, seven homers, 51 RBI), shortstop Kendyll Koester (.400, 32 extra-base hits, 10 homers, 44 RBI) and outfielder Birkley Christ (.267, 10 RBI).
"Wood and Koester were both really good defensive players and could really crunch the ball," Feldt said. "It's tough to lose that kind of production, but I think we can cover it pretty well."
Returning players include junior Courtney Washington, who batted .487 with 26 extra-base hits, nine homers and 44 RBI. She is also one of the top pitchers in the state, posting a 26-4 record and a 0.87 ERA as a sophomore.
"Courtney really has the physical talent," Feldt said. "I think she'll be even better this year. At our first practice, she was ready to go. When she's not pitching, she'll be in the lineup, probably on the infield."
Senior catcher Courtney Belcher batted .357 with 21 RBI, while junior first baseman Jaclyn Elmore hit .452 and drove in 45 runs. Junior center fielder Abby Fritz , who hit .374 with 36 RBI, also provides plenty of punch.
Junior right fielder Hailey Cummings (.469, 29 RBI) is the No. 2 pitcher and was 9-1 with a 2.72 ERA. Sophomore twins Claire Buechele (.286, 11 RBI) and Paige Buechele (.230, eight RBI) will start at third base and left field, respectively. Freshman Daisy Cornell takes over at shortstop with freshman Jenna Wilhelm playing second base when Cummings is on the mound.
"Paige Buechele is a very good shortstop, but I hate to take that speed out of the outfield," Feldt said. "On the other hand, with Washington pitching, we don't need much speed in the outfield because not many balls get hit there."
Freshman Lauren Nunn is a first baseman-outfielder. Sophomore transfer Madison Dauch, freshman Kiera Wagner, junior Ali Villmer and senior Hilary Bodiford will be utility players.
"I'm in a position this year to use the designated player if I have somebody on defense who is not a real good hitter," said Feldt, who had only 10 players for most of last season.
Lebanon opened the season Saturday at Collinsville, losing 7-0 and 10-0. The Greyhounds were slated to play after Journal press time Monday at Freeburg and Tuesday at Carlyle and will play host to Staunton on Thursday.
"Naturally, one of our goals is to win the conference, but the other teams are getting better," Feldt said. "After that, we're hoping for a long postseason run. I think we're capable of making it back to state."
