NEW ALBANY —
The Indiana Diamonds 13-14-year-old travel softball team spent the past season seeking the best competition it could find.
After back-to-back 100-win seasons, including a 116-6 mark in 2011 and a 325-90 record over the past three seasons, the Diamonds looked to increase their schedule difficulty in 2012.
“It was paramount that the team be challenged constantly during the year,” Diamonds’ coach Dennie Jenkins said. “The coaching staff felt that if our girls were going to grow in the game, they would have to be pushed beyond their comfort zone by elevating the competition.”
The Diamonds kicked off their season in Birmingham, Ala., and traveled 9,000 miles, playing in 20 tournaments, many of which came against teams in higher age brackets.
The Diamonds went 105-42, playing softball in 20 tournaments in nine different states, winning nine of them and finishing second in the Thunderbolts Spring Opener.
Three times they came from the losers’ bracket to win titles and they outscored their opponents, 957-398.
“The Diamonds relied on a combination of exceptional pitching and defense to hold opponents in check while imposing relentless team speed to constantly pressure the opposition,” Jenkins said. “As the season progressed, the bats clicked.”
The Diamonds completed their season with a stretch of tougher competition at the 16-under and 18-under College Showcase Format in a series of four weekends in Columbus, Ohio, Decatur, Ill., Chattanooga, Tenn., and St. Louis. The Diamonds went 18-3 and won their last 13 games.
During the 13-game winning streak, the Diamonds “never trailed an inning,” Jenkins said.
The season ended in September with the Diamonds winning the Premier Qualifier in Indianapolis. The championship secured a berth in the Premier National in San Diego in the summer of 2013.
“The future of softball looks bright in Southern Indiana as these young ladies continue to push themselves to higher levels,” Jenkins said.
The Diamonds are comprised of five high school freshmen — Floyd Central’s Kennedy Wynn, Regan Hadley, Gabbi Jenkins and Kassie King and Louisville Collegiate’s Charlotte Happel.
Six eighth-graders round out the lineup. They are Taylor Castleberry, Jensen Striegel, Mackenzie Smith, Kendal Cline, Jenna Endris and Haley Shouse.
Floyd County Sports
Related Photos
-
Pitcher Kassie King and the Indiana Diamonds 13-14-year-old travel softball team went 105-42 this past season. Submitted photo
Discussion
SOFTBALL: Diamonds complete another successful season
Local travel team records 100 wins again
- Floyd County Sports
-
-
CLASS 4A, JEFF SECTIONAL: Highlanders, Stars to meet in semfinals
FC blows out Seymour , 16-3; Red Devils blow one-run lead in seventh to lose to BNL, 6-3
-
COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: May 21, 2013
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
• Jeff Thompson (Louisville baseball, Floyd Central graduate, Jr.) — top performance: winning pitcher in a starting role in the Cardinals’ 12-4 home victory over Pittsburgh on Friday, seven innings pitched, three runs allowed (all earned), three hits, seven strikeouts, three walks; notes: Thompson became the sixth pitcher in U of L history to earn 10 or more victories in a season on Friday; he is one win away from tying the school record for most victories in a season; Friday’s win clinched the Cardinals a share of the Big East Conference championship; they claimed the outright conference title on Saturday with a 7-4 home triumph over the Panthers; team records: 46-10 overall, 20-4 Big East; Thompson’s record: 10-1. -
H.S. BASEBALL: Bulldogs beat Providence to win Sajko Invitational
New Albany’s 8-5 win gives Bulldogs 10th consecutive title
-
H.S. BOYS' GOLF: Hornets, Highlanders take conference crowns
Davidson, three Borden players earn All-SAC honors
-
H.S. SOFTBALL: Pursuit of sectional championships begin tonight
Jeff, Charlestown and Providence are Greg’s picks to win titles
-
H.S. ROUNDUP: No. 1 Floyd goes 1-1, Jeff loses pair of one-run games
Pirates fall short in Charlestown Softball Invitational
-
H.S. BASEBALL: New Albany, Providence to square off in Sajko title game
Start time moved up to 1:30 due to threat of rain
-
GIRLS' TENNIS SECTIONALS: Jeff gets by game Generals 3-2 for title
Floyd, Creek cruise to sectional crowns
-
H.S. ROUNDUP: Red Devils beat East on Senior Night
Clarksville softball upsets Bulldogs, 6-4
-
BOYS' TRACK: Highlanders run away with 11th straight sectional crown
Borden finishes program-best second; New Albany third, Clarksville fourth
- More Floyd County Sports Headlines
-
