ANTWERP, Ohio – Krista Ordway admits she’s seen a season like this coming over the last few years.
“People have been telling me this class coming in has big expectations,” Ordway, third-year Antwerp softball head coach, tells ParkviewSportsMedicine.com about her 2018-19 team. “Seeing all that potential we have is more exciting every year.”
Antwerp’s lineup card reads of a young team: 1 senior, 8 juniors, 4 sophomores and 8 freshmen. Headlining that youth movement is Carlie Hanes. The junior pitcher threw 4 no-hitters—yes, four—during the regular season; including a state record-tying 21 strikeouts March 26 against Hicksville.
“I honestly started pitching when I was younger, because they got the ball all the time,” Hanes jokes. “It’s still shocking to my family members that I broke the record still, and have had so much success. I already have.”
College softball programs have taken notice of Hanes’ success, with coaches reaching out to her and even scouting Antwerp softball games.
“That just goes to prove to you that hard work really pays off,” Hanes adds.
Like phenomenal pitching, Antwerp’s bats have been relentless, as well. The Lady Archers have shutout foes in 17 of 22 wins. Ten of their wins ended in a 10-run mercy rule in their favor.
“It’s fun coming out every game and being ready for everything,” junior catcher Karsyn Brumett says. “We’re already for anything, and we’re always ready to take on whomever.”
While Antwerp hit a snag with back-to-back Green Meadows Conference losses in April, the Archers have rebounded in May to clinch their third-straight OHSAA Division IV sectional championship, their first district title since 2011, their first ever regional title and trip to the state finals.
Antwerp is one of 26 area high schools that partners with Parkview Sports Medicine for athletic training, nutrition, athletic rehabilitation, sports performance training and orthopedic services for student-athletes. Learn more at ParkviewSportsMedicine.com.