Optimism is high as QHS softball team returns bevy of offensive weapons

QUINCY — Quincy High School softball coach Darrell Henze says his approach to the game has changed as the years have passed.

“I’ve tried to mellow out and adapt to each team, dealing with the different personalities and what motivates each of the players,” he said.

That kind of outlook may come in especially handy this spring when Henze will work to mold an extremely promising offense with a talented, yet unproven pitching staff.

Quincy is coming off a 7-21 season, a record that was at least mildly misleading because of 13 games that were decided by two runs or less — nine of them losses.

“Last year, we just didn’t get the hits when we needed them,” said senior infielder Jaylen Lubbert, who led the 2022 Blue Devils with a .349 average.

Fellow senior Karly Leenerts, who batted .310 with a team-best 26 RBIs, nodded her head in agreement.

“We had a lot of close losses,” Leenerts said.

Leenerts’ contributions to this team will be on hold for a few more weeks. She fractured an arm early in the preseason, but is expected to return to the lineup around mid-April. That injury, however, has not dulled her enthusiasm and she is expecting big things from both the QHS offense and pitching staff.

“We have a well-rounded team this year,” Leenerts emphasized.

The “team” concept is important tothe Blue Devils.

“Last year we had a tough season,” said senior outfielder Sofi Sangrey, who is coming off a .271 junior year. “What makes softball so interesting is there are lots of opportunities from (an individual standpoint), but it’s also a team sport.”

Lubbert agrees.

“We’re a sisterhood,” she said. “We all have different points of view, but we are all teammates.”

Henze is optimistic about an offense that returns eight of its top hitters from a year ago, but reminds that patience will be needed as the pitching staff comes together.

“Like baseball or softball, everything starts in the circle,” he said.

Henze said one of the goals for his staff of relatively unproven arms will be learning how to deal with the pressure of that position.

So far, so good.

Junior Kayden Smith allowed just three hits in Quincy’s 7-2 season-opening win over Pittsfield on Monday. Smith and Lubbert are the top two returnees from last season, but enter the year with just a combined 19 ⅔ career innings of work between them.

Getting those hurlers some experience early in the season is the primary goal, according to Henze. He’s got his fingers crossed that Mother Nature will cooperate, unlike a year ago when the Blue Devils lost numerous early season outdoor practices and games because of wet and cold weather.

Other veteran returnees who figure to start for QHS include junior infielders Paige Kurfman (.280) and Aurora Allison, plus infielder Ariana Adorno and catcher Kate Mettemeyer, who are both sophomores. Freshmen outfielders Avary Hlubek and Aryauna Allen have earned starting positions as rookies.

Sophomore Kasey Leenerts and freshman Madelyn Hamby complete the varsity roster.

“I’m excited,” Henze says of his club’s possibilities.

The ninth-year coach admits he is uncertain what the season may hold in terms of overall wins and losses.

“I honestly don’t know yet,” he said. “They’re a lot of strong teams in the area and the Western Big 6, where anything can happen. I don’t set any goals. (The season) is a day to day thing — just go out and compete. The record will be what it will be.

“Our only goal is to just make the plays we need to that will give us the chance to win.”