By Dan Hardenbrook
The Newberry Lady Indians got an early start on their 2023 Softball season, traveling to Marquette for the annual Spring Swing invitational at the Superior Dome last weekend. The dome’s indoor atmosphere allows multiple games to go on at once, giving softball teams around the U.P. and Northern Wisconsin a chance to fine tune in scrimmages ahead of the start of the official season in April.
The Lady Indians had three opportunities to take the field. Because of the timing of this year’s event overlapping with the start of Spring Break, only nine Lady Indians were available for the team. They squared off with Forest Park, L’Anse, and North Dickinson.
Several Lady Indians players had solid performances throughout the weekend. Senior Jaiden Egert led at the plate, totaling three hits, a double, a walk, and an RBI. Shortstop Trenidy Depew added a hit, drew three walks, and scored a run over the course of the three-game series. Alazayah Depew also had a multi-hit weekend for Newberry.
Other stats included catcher Lily Heim (walk & RBI), first baseman Gracie Taylor (1 hit), second baseman Taylor Gravelle (walk), left fielder Alanah Saldana (2 walks), center fielder Rayne Palmer (2 walks, 1 run scored), and right fielder Katie Kelly (walk).
Alazayah Depew pitched a majority of the innings, earning 11 strikeouts in 10 innings of work. Egert finished with four innings, five hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.
Coach Bruce Dake said that the experience was key for the team.
“After being in the gym for two weeks, it was nice getting on to a regulation field and playing,” he said. “That was very helpful for us. The team showed steady improvement over the weekend as they get ready for the regular season.”
