Center Grove’s rich softball lineage is such that rarely, if ever, are freshmen the first and second hitters in the Trojans batting order.
Hannah Haberstroh and Riley Janda are proving to be the exception.
Center Grove pursues its 18th regional championship this evening as it hosts Columbus North. The teams previously met on April 23, with the visiting Bull Dogs prevailing, 3-1.
At that point of the season, Janda, the second baseman, was batting ninth in coach Alyssa Coleman’s lineup. She moved to the No. 2 spot a couple of weeks ago, teaming with Haberstroh to give Center Grove the necessary speed at the top of the order.
Haberstroh and Janda are two of the many talented underclassmen on the Trojans’ roster.
“As bad as it sounds, the options are slim,” Coleman said. “But both are supremely athletic and they have an opportunity right in front of them. I think even if we had a bunch of upperclassmen, they would have given them a run for their money. They really have added to our program.”
Haberstroh, a center fielder who bats left-handed, carries a .398 average and leads the team in stolen bases with 17. Janda is hitting .294 with 11 steals.
Talented enough to play virtually anywhere on the diamond, the two actually play different positions while part of the Indiana Gators travel squad. Haberstroh’s preferred spot defensively is second base; Janda’s role on the Gators is shortstop.
Ashlynn Wolff’s abilities at the latter made it possible for Janda to move to second. Wolff, a sophomore who bats third, is hitting .396 and leads Center Grove in hits (36) and runs (30).
Haberstroh, who doesn’t turn 15 for another three weeks, has delivered three or more hits in five different games, the latest being the Trojans’ 9-1 win over Martinsville in the sectional semifinal.
“I wasn’t expecting to play leadoff right away, but after a few games I felt more comfortable,” Haberstroh said. “(Playing varsity) has been really cool. The team has been so supportive. The upperclassmen are always there for me. They made me feel welcome and feel comfortable in the leadoff role.”
Janda, meanwhile, showed off some dazzling glove work in the sectional title contest, a 5-1 defeat of Mooresville. At the plate, the freshman insists she’s seeing pitches she might not have seen had she remained at the bottom of the batting order.
Haberstroh and Janda couldn’t wait to one day be part of the Trojans’ softball program, Indiana’s pace-setter in state championships with seven as well as winner of the most sectional (24) and regional titles.
Though the team is on familiar ground again, in no way is it taken for granted.
“As a team, I feel we’re all really close, and coach Coleman cares about our bond with each other,” Janda said. “She shows us different perspectives of the game and pushes us to leave everything on the field.
“When I was younger, I was always thinking about playing for Center Grove. I’m very lucky and I’m very appreciative.”
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Class 4A regional
Columbus North (24-4) at Center Grove (20-8)
Time: 7 p.m.
Admission: $8
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