<p>Competing alongside her teammates deep into May is something Grace Paszek has envisioned since she started her Franklin College softball career.</p>
<p>A few more Grizzly victories and it becomes real.</p>
<p>Unranked nationally, coach Butch Zike’s squad is motivated to make believers on a larger scale after winning its first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament.</p>
<p>The Grizzlies (29-10), qualifiers for the NCAA Division III championships for the first time in program history, play No. 16 Calvin at noon today in Holland, Michigan. The Knights (30-8) are making their first appearance in the tournament since 1998.</p>
<p>Zike’s squad is one of four taking part in the double-elimination regional being played at Hope College. The other game puts the host school against Greenville (Illinois) University.</p>
<p>“It’s extremely awesome,” said Paszek, a Franklin Community High School graduate and the Grizzlies’ starting first baseman. “My first year here we weren’t even close to winning the (HCAC) tournament, and we’ve progressed a little bit every year.</p>
<p>“We have a lot of freshmen and some transfers on this team and I think our team chemistry is better than it’s been. It’s something special.”</p>
<p>Paszek is one of six seniors and four players from Johnson County on Zike’s roster.</p>
<p>Former Whiteland player Monica Collins, a junior leadoff hitter who leads the team with a .418 batting average and 16 stolen bases, is enjoying her best season yet at the collegiate level. Senior pitcher Olivia Paszek is 17-3 with a 2.10 earned-run average.</p>
<p>The newcomer is former Center Grove player Lexi Gaffney, a freshman. Gaffney, who plays outfield and has scored 24 runs in 35 appearances, has enjoyed the process of going from one successful softball program to another.</p>
<p>“It’s actually really similar because the community (support) is the same. At Center Grove, the community was like a family. That’s how it is here,” Gaffney said. “I’ve really enjoyed it. We have really great chemistry.</p>
<p>“We do team bonding stuff all the time and everyone gets along. There’s no drama.”</p>
<p>Gaffney didn’t think she would play much this season, but she is glad her coach gave her the opportunity. Formerly a right-handed hitter, she’s learned to lay down bunts from the left side and get on base.</p>
<p>Zike, who has experienced success as the Grizzlies’ softball coach and previously as the longtime baseball coach at Whiteland, never tires of seeing one of his teams extend its season.</p>
<p>"The team we have right now is probably the most balanced team we’ve had as far as defense, hitting and pitching," said Zike, who has a record of 135-96 in six seasons. "This is an accumulation of a lot of good players and the experience they have."</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>NCAA Division III softball regional</p>
<p>Franklin College (29-10) vs. Calvin (30-8)</p>
<p>When: Noon</p>
<p>Where: Hope College (Holland, Michigan)</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
