Sophomore catcher/outfielder Katelyn Weathers has helped the Ankeny Christian Academy softball team to a 12-2 record, including an 8-1 mark in the West Division of the Bluegrass Conference. The Eagles are ranked fourth in Class 1A in their second season as a varsity program.
Weathers is batting .697 with 23 hits in 33 at-bats, which is the second-highest average in the entire state. She has 10 extra-base hits–five home runs, two triples and three doubles–and 20 RBIs.
Here is some inside info on Weathers:
Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for you?
Winning a close game at Murray (10-8 on June 13) has been the highlight!
Your team’s first loss came to Panorama, 6-5, in the West Central Valley Classic on June 7. I know you didn’t play in that tournament, so were you playing club ball that weekend?
I was playing for my club volleyball team, Iowa Impact, in a tournament.
I see in your Twitter bio that you are a member of the Nebraska Gold 515 Dillinger team. Do you still play for them?
I actually don’t play for them any longer. I am only doing high school ball and club volleyball this summer. I’m in Orlando playing volleyball this weekend.
Your team’s other loss came on Friday to visiting Seymour, which took advantage of nine ACA errors to rally for an 8-7 victory. Do you feel like that was a game that your team gave away?
Yes, I firmly believe that we should have not given away those errors. We gave the game to them that way.
Your team is playing its home games this season at Lew Clarkson Park in Johnston. How does that field compare to where your team played its home games previously?
I think it’s better because it is closer to Ankeny for people to attend as opposed to East Des Moines. Also, it is closer to Urbandale Little League, which is where ACA baseball plays.
You’ve struck out only one time during this entire high school season. Do you remember which pitcher struck you out and how she did it?
No, I don’t. It wasn’t that big of a deal to me. It happens to everyone, and I try not to dwell on my mistakes. I always try to focus on the next play.
You batted .424 with five homers and 27 RBIs as a freshman, when you helped the Eagles to an 18-7 record. Since Riese Gjerde was the only senior who graduated from last year’s team, did you think the squad would be this successful in its second season?
Well, I think that the quality of teams in our conference isn’t that strong so that makes our record look stronger than it is.
Your team is averaging 11.5 runs per game and boasts six batters hitting above .300. Are you surprised by how productive the entire lineup has been this season?
At times our lineup is productive, but we’ve had a lot of walks and errors that have allowed our batters on base, too. It’s not necessarily because we’re getting a lot of hits.
I know one of your team’s two pitchers, Sicily Crosby, has been out with an injury. How important will it be to get her back, since she’s 4-0 with a 1.48 ERA and is also batting .432 with two homers and 18 RBIs?
Sicily has made contributions to the team this year from the mound. Unfortunately, injuries happen and we will certainly miss her bat in the lineup.
Your other pitcher, Katie Quick, has compiled an 8-2 mark with a 2.41 ERA and 65 strikeouts. How many different pitches does she throw, and what has been the key to her success this season–which includes a 16-strikeout performance against Seymour?
She has three pitches: a fastball, curveballl, and a changeup. Her key to success has been hard work and perseverance.
Your team reached a regional semifinal last year. Do you feel like it’s capable of making a run to the state tournament this season?
It’ll be very challenging for us given the quality of teams that we will be facing. The competition will be stronger than anything we have seen this season.
I know your sister, Anna, is headed to Cedarville University in Ohio to play softball. Are you planning to play softball in college as well?
I think that it would be very cool to play softball in college. I have had some communication with the Cedarville softball coach.