Competing alongside her teammates deep into May is something Grace Paszek has envisioned since she started her Franklin College softball career.
A few more Grizzly victories and it becomes real.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.”
Paszek is one of six seniors and four players from Johnson County on Zike’s roster.
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.
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.
“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.
“We do team bonding stuff all the time and everyone gets along. There’s no drama.”
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.
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.
“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.”
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NCAA Division III softball regional
Franklin College (29-10) vs. Calvin (30-8)
When: Noon
Where: Hope College (Holland, Michigan)
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