MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week: Crown Point softball

With just four returning starters and two seniors total, Crown Point (Ind.) softball coach Ginger Britton was understandably concerned with her team's inexperience.

But those four starters were fortunately planted in key spots — one outfielder, one infielder and two pitchers — and the result has been nearly flawless.

The Bulldogs started the season 10-0, outscored foes 69-8, boasted a team .312 batting average and a 0.45 ERA. That has vaulted Crown Point to the top of the MaxPreps state computer rankings and earned the Bulldogs the MaxPreps Indiana Team of the Week honor, presented by the Indiana National Guard.

The development of the young players through the experienced players is what Britton has been most pleased with in the early going.

"Those (four) athletes have been instrumental in working with the younger athletes and the new freshmen athletes through their leadership on the playing field and on the practice field," Britton said. "The returning players push themselves individually to get better every day and in turn push the newbies with those same expectations.

"Because of the hard work to continually improve they have been able to pull each other into a team mentality that winning isn't enough, continually pushing to have improvements which showed in the start of the season.

"Personally I am most pleased with this aspect of the team. Getting an out is not enough, they want the double play. And while we may not always have the opportunity to go above and beyond in each game, they want to work on it and push each other in practice."

It helps to have two standout pitchers like sophomore Alexis Holloway (4-0, 0.28 ERA, 50 strikeouts, 25 innings) and junior Miranda Elish (3-0, 0.55, 52 strikeouts, 25.2 innings).

Britton said the duo lead both on and off the field.

"Each athlete has their own unique pitching style and strengths on the mound and the team is learning well how to play behind them," Britton said. "Miranda is the kind of athlete who will push herself harder than she will ask anyone else on the team to work. She expects the best from herself and is forever working to better herself for her team.

"Alexis, while only a sophomore, is always willing to take instruction. She is a leader while on the field even though she is younger than some of her teammates. Alexis is also pushing herself to be the best for her team. She is quick to give a high five to those that make plays behind her, giving credit to her teammates and not taking it herself."

Both aren't just superb pitchers, but excellent hitters too. They bat first and second in the lineup.

"It shows the humbleness of both athletes that they are willing to play and work so well together with equally talented players sharing time on the mound," Britton said.

The duo have plenty of support behind them. The Bulldogs have big contributors up and down the line-up. Among them (statistics through eight games): 

* Marie O'Malley (.429, four doubles, seven RBIs)

* Morgan Matalin (.391)

* Mackenzie Dunlap (.333, team-high eight runs)

Elish is also one of the team's offensive leaders, batting .409 with three doubles.

Britton loves the team's offensive attitude.

"Being a singles hitter isn't enough, they want to push themselves to better their batting averages with runners in scoring position and work hard at the plate and in the cages to focus when it counts," she said. "They … are disappointed when a missed opportunity isn't capitalized on."

The Bulldogs perhaps feel like they missed out last season when they won 29 straight before a 2-0 semi-state semifinal loss to Huntington North.

This team with just two seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen on a 14-person roster is ready for its next opportunity, Britton said.

"Crown Point has never made a run deep into the state tournament and that shows just how difficult it is," she said. "It will never be handed to you, and others will always be ready to play you.

"But we'll (prepare) one day, one skill, one practice, one game at a time to prepare for the second season — the postseason."