Bishop Noll’s Madelynn Queen needs to be used to it by now.
However each time the Bethel commit connects for a house run, the one that least expects to see the ball sail over the fence is the one who hit it.
“If you go as much as bat, you’re not trying to hit a house run each single time,” Queen stated. “It simply type of takes you unexpectedly while you do hit one.”
Queen downplays her energy on the plate, however her coach and teammates say these numbers are not any accident as a result of her dedication to weightlifting is rewarded at any time when she squares up the ball along with her bat.
For the second straight season, Queen has supplied probably the most pop within the lineup for the Warriors (7-9). The senior infielder/pitcher has group highs with 5 residence runs and 18 RBIs to go along with her .395 batting common. Queen has additionally been efficient within the circle with a 2.82 ERA in 57 innings.
“As a pitcher, she’s made it laborious for groups to hit the ball solidly, and that’s helped our protection out,” Bishop Noll coach Elena Sobilo stated. “And, offensively, we’ve seen extra energy from her. No matter work she’s performed within the offseason to get stronger, we’re seeing the advantages of that work.”
Bishop Noll senior catcher Ella Zvonar has observed a unique zip on Queen’s pitches this season and likewise attributed that to Queen’s offseason coaching.
“Her ball has much more pace and motion on it,” Zvonar stated. “She’s humble about it, however she’s always working within the offseason.”
Queen truly can hint her progress again to her sophomore 12 months at Andrean, the place she determined towards taking part in softball that season. With additional time on her schedule, Queen found a ardour for weightlifting and began working with a private coach.
“I’d go to the gymnasium on my own once I was youthful, however it wasn’t something severe,” she stated. “However now I’m doing lifts which are programmed for softball and for pitching, that are serving to me be extra explosive on the mound.”
Queen resumed taking part in journey softball in the course of the summer season after her sophomore 12 months after which joined the group at Bishop Noll after transferring there as a junior. She was involved that she’d battle in her return to highschool softball.
“I used to be scared that I wasn’t going to have the ability to sustain,” she stated.
Queen’s fears subsided as soon as she realized how a lot her improved power boosted her efficiency. She hit .552 with a .914 slugging share, 32 hits, 5 residence runs and 26 RBIs, main Bishop Noll in every class. She struck out solely as soon as final season, though she hasn’t forgotten it as a result of that strikeout got here throughout her closing at-bat of the season.
“I used to be so mad about that,” Queen stated with fun.
She has struck out simply 3 times this season.
“That’s an asset for us for those who’re going to battle on the plate like that and make pitchers throw to you,” Sobilo stated. “We would like these alternatives to get on base.”
Queen is benefiting from her alternative at Bishop Noll.
“She’s made her senior 12 months memorable by being optimistic the entire time and simply being pleasant with everybody on the group,” Zvonar stated.
That was Queen’s major aim.
“I took a while and actually thought to myself about what I needed for this season, and since that is my final 12 months right here, largely I simply needed to have enjoyable,” she stated.
Dave Melton is a contract reporter.
