Success tends to make other teams take note. The Lindbergh girl’s softball team knows that last year’s 21-10 record will have a lot of schools putting an asterisk next to the Flyers on their 2023 schedule.
“I feel like we exceeded our expectations last year and teams are going to be ready for us this year,” Lindbergh head coach Darin Scott said. “The good thing is that we’ve got some good talent coming back this season.”
The success of the Flyers in 2023 may very well begin and end at the starting pitcher’s circle as junior Gabby McBride returns this season after going 19-7 overall with a 1.38 earned run average and 263 strikeouts.
“Everything for us starts in the circle with Gabby,” Scott said. “It’s going to be tough to match last season, but we know that she’s ready for the challenge.”
Another huge contributor to the Flyers success last year was junior Allie Waldron at catcher. In 2022 Waldron batted a blistering .525 with six doubles, nine triples, four home runs and 15 runs batted in (RBI).
“Allie is truly the ultimate softball athlete,” Scott said. “She’s a five tool player and makes everyone else playing with her, better. Her knowledge of the game is simply unmatched.”
Senior Nicole Thomas returns for the 2023 campaign at third base and will be relied upon as a leader on this year’s squad.
“Nicole did a phenomenal job for us last year at third base,” Scott said. “She steps up and leads by example and really is the ultimate team player for us.”
In center field for the Flyers is sophomore Kristen Cochran, who batted .239 with 15 RBIs, an impressive 33 stolen bases and a .337 on base percentage.
“Kristen is naturally more of an infielder and she’s been hitting the ball extremely well,” Scott said. “I think she’s learned a lot since her freshman season.”
Another sophomore that’s coming off a successful freshman campaign is short stop MaryJane Abercrombie. In 2022 Abercrombie batted .309 with six doubles, 13 stolen bases and 15 RBIs.
“MaryJane has gotten a lot stronger since last season,” Scott said. “We’re really looking for big things out of her this year.”
The Flyers will also look for outfielders Alexis Schmidt and Kiarra Lewis, as well as second baseman Rachel Branham, to be key contributors to Lindbergh’s success