Crusader preview: Wellington girls softball team will have a whole new look this season

March 25, 2022 Cueball

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington girls softball team was supposed to play their season opener Thursday but the fields were too muddy in El Dorado.

•They are getting new uniforms but they haven’t arrived.

•A couple of key players were late in arrival because they were playing in the state basketball tournament.

Brittanee Knepper

•The weather has been uncooperative.

•And there is a new head coach and assistants.

Let’s just say things are a bit uncertain with the girls softball program at the moment.

Brittanee Knepper was elevated to head coach in Wellington after serving a season under the tutelage of T.D. Buck, who has now retired from coaching and teaching. He can be found watching his youngest daughter play college softball at Lousiana-Monroe.

Knepper comes from Pittsburg State University where she played for the Lady Gorillas. She grew up in Blackwell, Okla. and was the offensive player of the year her freshman and senior year.

This marks the first time Wellington has a new coach since 2013. She takes over a unit that went 11-10 in 2021 and was eliminated in the first round of regional – losing 4-2 to Rose Hill.

Knepper has a good nucleus returning. She has 23 girls out including four seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores and seven freshmen.

With girls softball a team’s success depends on the pitching. Wellington has two returning starters.

Heidi Gulick, a junior and Madison Baker, a sophomore, will rotate in the circle.

“They are young,” Knepper said. “Last year we were giving up way too many runs with pitches straight down the middle. I’d rather walk a girl than give up a three-run homer.”

Two of Wellington’s starting seniors come from the Crusader basketball team that placed fourth at state: Ali Zeka and Airalyn Frame. Frame started at third base. Abby Mraz and Riley Anderson will also be part of the team as seniors.

Wellington has seven returning starters and that should bode well for the team.

Shiney Hughes, a junior, returns. She suffered an injury and couldn’t play basketball, but is ready to go as the returning catcher.

Other starters include Kate Haines, a sophomore; Addison Fox, a sophomore, and Kyndal Rusk, a freshman. Fox was a returning second baseman. Gulick and Baker will play first base when they aren’t pitching.

The Crusaders will have their work cut out for them, as always. The Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League has always had a wealth of talent. Andale returns a state tournament qualifying team. Clearwater and Rose Hill should have good teams as well.

Wellington doesn’t get a home date until April 11 when Buhler comes to Worden Park.

There are three new assistant coaches: Chloe Holman, who comes from Derby will assist with the varsity. Maggie Fink and McKenna Jones will coach the junior varsity.

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Original Varsity Schedule (all doubleheaders):

Monday – March 28 – El Dorado triangular (with Goddard), 4 and 5:30 p.m. (rescheduled from Thursday).

Thurs, March 31 – Andale, away, 4:30 p.m.

Tues, April 5 – Mulvane, away, 4:30 p.m.

Mon. April 11 – Buhler, home, 4:30 p.m.

Mon., April 18 – El Dorado, home, 4:30 p.m.

Thurs., April 21 – Clearwater, away, 4 p.m.

Mon., April 25 – Rose Hill, away, Time TBD.

Mon., May 2 – Winfield, home, 4:30 p.m.

Thur., May 5 – Mulvane, home, 4:30 p.m.

Mon., May 9 – Augusta, away, 4:30 p.m.