Tigers’ senior leads clubs, softball team

May 29, 2017

For The Tribune

Gabriella Walters was involved in a lot of clubs and organizations at Crothersville High School.

During her junior year one of her teachers encouraged her to do a sport, and she chose softball.

Walters, who is president of five clubs and organizations and secretary of a sixth this school year, said the teacher told her it looks better on a college application if you’re a well-rounded student.

Last spring Walters received the team’s mental attitude award, and this spring she was the Tigers’ regular shortstop.

Walters said she feels like she has a good arm to be able to get the ball over to shortstop.

Walters also said she felt comfortable fielding balls to her right that the third baseman was unable to get to, and being able to go in the hole toward second base to field balls.

On the field, Walters said communication was key for the defense.

“Communication is definitely an important thing,” she said. “It is definitely something we had to work on a lot this year. There were some times where we knocked each-other down on plays. There was one practice that was all we did.”

Walters started out the season batting third but moved down in the order later in the season.

“Hitting was different for me,” Walters said. “The first pitch was probably the best one that I was going to get. I liked pitches waist high.

“Last year it was difficult for me to even hit the ball so this year whatever I could get was so much better.”

The softball team is a close group of athletes, according to Walters.

“I think the team is probably my favorite part of it, just being able to grow so close to a group of students because I wouldn’t be friends with them otherwise,” Walters said.

Walters was a team captain for the Tigers.

“We led stretches at the beginning and got everything started,” she said. “We kept encouraging everyone, and made sure everyone was not down, especially in games because once you get in that slump you can’t get out of it. You need someone pumping you up.

Walters said she enjoyed attending Crothersville.

“I do like the smaller school,” she said. “You get more personalized relationships with your teachers and other students.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Walters file” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Name: Gabriella Walters

School: Crothersville High School

Parent: Stephanie Walters

Sibling: Luke

Sports: softball 2 years

Athletic awards: 2016 mental attitude award

Organizations: president National Honor Society, president science club, president S.A.D.D, president history club, president Young Heroes Club, secretary Sunshine Society

Plans after high school: attend Hanover College, major in bio-chemistry and premed

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