Softball
Berryman enjoys breakout year
Fairfield junior Kelsey Berryman has emerged as team's dominant hitter, leading the team in RBIs and batting average.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Again and again, Fairfield junior Kelsey Berryman underestimated herself.
She didn't expect to make the varsity softball team this season. When she did, she assumed she'd ride the bench.
Extras
When she earned a starting spot in the outfield, she felt content batting low in the order.
But she wouldn't stay down there for long.
Berryman, who now bats second in the order, leads the team with a .371 batting average and is tied for first in the Greater Miami Conference with 21 RBIs.
"We knew last year when she was playing junior varsity that she had a lot of potential," coach Brenda Stieger said. "There just weren't enough spots for her. Average wise, she's doing extremely well. If I have high average batters, I want them high in the lineup."
Last season, Berryman dominated JV pitching. Nevertheless, she came to varsity tryouts overcome with anxiety.
"I was really nervous at tryouts," Berryman said. "I was very surprised when I made the team."
Berryman, who played catcher last season, had never played outfield until this season.
"When you have a good bat, you gotta find a position for them," Stieger said.
Berryman showed right away that she belonged at the varsity level.
"I was scared coming in, because JV and varsity are two totally different games," Berryman said. "But my first ever at-bat, against Princeton, I got a triple. I was shocked, I couldn't believe I just did that. From there, I just went with it."
Berryman is part of a potent top-half of the lineup that includes junior Meghan Lockhart (.329) at leadoff, sophomore Jaisa Fox (.361) batting third, and senior Lindsay Traxler (.324, 8 doubles) at cleanup.
This quartet has carried the Indians offense, which leads the GMC in scoring (6.6 runs per game).
Fairfield (20-4, 13-4 GMC) earned a No. 2 seed out of 32 teams in its sectional draw, and will play No. 32 seed Winton Woods on Wednesday, May 14, at Kings High School.
Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5128 or edawisha@coxohio.com.
