Many softball teams rely on one pitcher to carry the load, but Waubonsie Valley will climb onto the shoulders of two quality arms this season.
Righty Shannon Hohman and lefty Jordan Kurth are both ready to do the heavy lifting for a Warriors team with high expectations in 2015.
“It’s a benefit most teams don’t get,” Hohman said. “If we can hit and score runs, I think we can be pretty deadly this season with me and Jordan pitching.”
The Warriors improved to 5-2 after winning four straight games through Wednesday’s 14-0 win over Elgin in five innings. Hohman pitched a no-hitter and had 11 strikeouts in the win.
One day earlier, Kurth struck out nine in five innings and only gave up a single hit in a mercy-rule win over Larkin.
Competitive desire being what it is, frustration for both seniors would be understandable over the prospect of sharing time on the mound. No such problem exists for Hohman and Kurth.
“We’re good friends and it helps both of us as players,” Kurth said. “When we get to college we won’t know the people we’re up against and it shows that both of us can get along with people, even though we’re playing for the same spot. It’s friendly and it’s competitive.”
Waubonsie coach Valerie Wood has been alternating her future college pitchers thus far. Hohman will play for Miami of Ohio and Kurth will play for Western Michigan next year.
“I’m very lucky to have two Division I pitchers. That’s not a common thing,” Wood said. “They’re both effective in their own way and I’ll use them back and forth. They’re both hungry for the competition on the mound to show what they can do. We’re very fortunate.”
Last season, Hohman struck out 162 and had a 1.50 ERA in 147 innings, while Kurth struck out 99 in 87 innings and also had a 1.50 ERA.
Neither player will see time on the bench when not pitching. Hohman bats third and Kurth bats fifth for the Warriors and the two will alternate playing first base.
While one or the other may distinguish herself as the team’s No. 1 pitcher by the time the postseason arrives, Kurth and Hohman are content sharing the circle this season.
“I just want to have a record-winning season for our team. I want us to win regionals,” Hohman said.
“By the end of my sophomore season I was getting tired after pitching thirty games. Jordan is my best friend and now we have each other to bounce off of. That’s a huge benefit to our team and it pushes both of us.”
Metea evens score
Metea Valley started the season 0-2 but rebounded with a 4-1 win over Elgin and a 6-5 win over Streamwood.
More Top Picks Samsung Vs Lg Washing Machines
The Mustangs had nine hits in the win over Elgin, getting two apiece from Kara Leckinger and Emma Zenkel and two RBIs from Fran Senese. Metea had seven hits in the win over Streamwood, with Zenkel getting two hits and two RBIs.
While their bats are coming around, the Mustangs committed two errors in each of those wins — an area that coach Kris Kalivas wants to see shored up.
“It’s early and hard with the weather not being consistent but the kids have to get used to that,” Kalivas said. “In our first two games we had one bad defensive inning in both games, and that killed us both times. So that’s what we’re working to get rid of.”
Larsen is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.