In the 23 months connecting Whiteland’s most recent softball seasons, Debbie Hill put in the work required to become one of the county’s premier pitchers.
Not an easy thing to do over the course of a pandemic, but the junior succeeded nonetheless.
Entering today’s Class 4A sectional opener against Greenwood, Hill, a lefthander, sports a somewhat deceiving 10-7 record having helped lead the Warriors (14-9) to their first winning season in years.
Hill gained valuable varsity experience as a freshman, but she’s now the Warriors’ ace with a 2.50 earned run average and 136 strikeouts compared to only 22 walks.
“I’m not surprised based on Debbie’s work ethic. We anticipated she would continue to get better,” seventh-year Whiteland coach Katie Mitchell said. “She’s gained a couple miles per hour (on her pitches), improved her spin and been a lot more consistent hitting her spots.”
Last week, Hill helped Whiteland knock off previously unbeaten Class 4A No. 3 Mooresville, 12-8, with a complete-game performance that included six strikeouts. Hill, the team’s cleanup hitter, chipped in two hits at the plate; she finished the regular season batting .338.
Hill leads the Warriors in doubles with nine and has two home runs and 16 RBIs.
With last season shut down due to COVID-19, Hill took classes online, including advanced physical conditioning, one of the driving forces in her athletic training.
Without access to the school weight room, Hill did what she could from home.
“A lot of it was body-weight workouts,” Hill said. “I didn’t have access to weights at home, so I thought I was a little bit behind in my training. But I definitely had the confidence that I was going to have a good year. I’m not super surprised with how it’s gone.
“My freshman year was a little nerve-wracking, but I believe in myself more now. Having a great defense behind me gives me even more confidence.”
As a team, Whiteland possesses no shortage of firepower with a team batting average of .307. The Warriors average 8.1 runs a game and wound up third in the Mid-State Conference standings with a 9-5 record.
Hill’s main value is to prevent the opposing team from matching what Whiteland does at the plate.
“We’re strong one through nine,” Mitchell said, “But where (Hill is) the most valuable is in the circle, and we wouldn’t trade her for the world. Debbie is incredibly humble and recognizes it’s a team game. It makes people want to play behind her.”
This season’s successes serve as a continuation of a Hill’s long-standing love of all things softball — one she hopes eventually culminates with her playing at the collegiate level.
“I started playing when I was 4 or 5 years old when my parents got me into it,” Hill said. “I’ve made so many friends and learned so many life lessons from softball. It definitely teaches me how to be a better person and how to handle certain situations.”
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Class 4A Center Grove Sectional
Today
Mooresville vs. Franklin, 5 p.m.
Whiteland vs. Greenwood, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Today’s winners, 5 p.m.
Center Grove vs. Martinsville, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship, 6 p.m.
Class 3A Edgewood Sectional
Today
West Vigo vs. Owen Valley, 5 p.m.
Edgewood vs. Indian Creek, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Today’s winners, 5 p.m.
Brown County vs. Northview, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship, 6 p.m.
Class A Edinburgh Sectional
Today
Waldron vs. Edinburgh, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Greenwood Christian vs. Indianapolis Lutheran, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Today’s winner vs. Morristown, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship, 5:30 p.m.
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