Whiteland shortstop Josslynn Harbert prepares to throw to first base in a game at Edinburgh earlier this season.
Daily Journal file photo
Some dynamic personalities have made their way onto Whiteland softball rosters in recent seasons.
Players unafraid to, shall we say, have a voice.
Senior leadoff hitter Josslynn Harbert, who’s playing shortstop this spring after three varsity seasons roaming the outfield for the Warriors, is fine letting her numbers speak for her, but make no mistake — Harbert still has a way of benefitting the program in her own unique way.
“Even though I’m not loud, I still am communicating with teammates every play,” Harbert said. “And if I see a teammate who is struggling, I’ll give her tips. I just want to help everyone because I honestly see potential in every player on our team.”
Harbert, who bats from the left side and throws right-handed, is hitting at a .400 clip with 14 runs scored and 10 driven in heading into today’s game against Martinsville. She has produced 19 doubles and 34 stolen bases during her career.
Harbert started in left field as a freshman and then moved to center the past two seasons, but she was needed in the infield for her final varsity campaign. The switch benefits Harbert, who plays some shortstop during her travel season and was recruited to play both shortstop and outfield at Huntington University.
An outstanding student (3.85 grade-point average), Harbert plans to major in pre-pharmacy.
“Since this year they needed me at shortstop, it’s kind of good for me,” Harbert said. “But for me, it does take two to three weeks to get back into playing that position. Playing shortstop is a little bit harder because you’re controlling the infield, and you have to know where to throw the ball each play.”
Recent Whiteland graduates and current college players such as Debbie Hill (Trine) and Emma Piercy (UIndy) have set the team’s emotional tone in the past. This season’s squad includes senior catcher Maddy Myers and a pair of juniors in Kiley Sullivan and Gracee Whitaker, who carry on the tradition of vocal leaders.
Harbert insists she’s working to improve that aspect of her game.
“Josslynn is one of our silent leaders. She’s got a great softball IQ, and has taken a couple of her teammates under her wing,” second-year Warriors coach Harley Roller said. “She’s productive, smart on the base paths and the girls really look up to her.
“She understands the concept of, ‘Who is taking my place next year?’”
Last season, Harbert hit .505, touched home plate a team-high 44 times and swiped 15 bases on her way to being named to the Daily Journal’s All-County team.
Her skills and mindset are perfectly suited for the leadoff role.
“I like leading off because I like setting the tone for the game,” Harbert said. “As long as I do something good, and let my teammates know what I saw so that they can adjust to it.”
As a junior, Harbert added a new dimension to her arsenal, producing the first home runs of her high school career in victories over Franklin Central and Perry Meridian.
“Josslynn is deceivingly strong,” Roller said. “Last year, she had five triples and two home runs, and she puts our other hitters in a position to score.”
Sometimes without a bat in her hands.
