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Older, wiser Eagles ready to take next step as top seed

When it comes to postseason play, there’s nothing like experience. Hubbard’s softball team should know that all too well, as veteran coach Ken Miller’s Eagles have several upperclassmen, led by five seniors as they begin tournament play next week.

“These kids have all started at least two years,” Miller said of his 2017 starting lineup. “Last year, we only had one senior on the entire team. We were hoping to be good (this year), (and winning a district title) was one of (our goals).”

So far, so good. Hubbard is 16-2 (of as Monday) and has a two-game lead in the All-American Conference White Tier with just four games left to play. Last year, Miller’s much younger Eagles team made it to the Division II Alliance District title game as a 5-seed, before losing to No. 3 Lakeview, 4-3.

A year older and a year more seasoned, and the Eagles are the No. 1 seed in the district. One player in particular benefitting from that experience is junior Addy Jarvis. The star pitcher is in her third year as the ace on the mound, and thus far she’s 14-0 and quite possibly the area’s best pitcher.

“(Addy’s improved) her accuracy,” Miller said. “She didn’t completely trust herself as a freshman. But, she hits her spots pretty good and she works real hard. She’s a good kid and she’s a lot of fun to be around.”

Hubbard has actually used five different pitchers this year, including Morgan Kist, Emma Wukelich and Jackie Adler. Kist, a hard-throwing senior shortstop, also displays a strong bat, as she’s among the team’s many power hitters in a lineup that Miller says can “do it all.”

Despite Kist’s impressive gap power, however, it’s Jarvis and senior first baseman Annie Zagorec who are driving the ball over the fence. Jarvis leads the way with “four or five home runs,” while Zagorec has two of her own.

Emma Wukelich, meanwhile, is in her third year as the team’s lead-off hitter, and is said to be an overall good hitter.

“We can play small ball, we can hit the ball a long way,” Miller said. “We can do it all.”

Despite the top seed status, the Alliance District again will be a challenge. Not surprisingly, defending champion Lakeview is the 2-seed, while West Branch is No. 3 and Marlington No. 4.

The Eagles played all three teams last postseason, making them battle-tested and ready to go once again. The message that Miller has sent his team for this year’s tournament is a simple one — believe.

“We played all three of those teams last year, and they’ve got to have it in their minds that they’re capable of playing against any of those teams,” Miller said. “(My players) just have to work on keeping calm and playing the game one pitch at a time.”

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