Softball: Ansteth aiming to improve hitting skills

Senior catcher ready to step up for varsity team

Russell Hodges
Posted 1/5/21

Despite losing her most recent softball season to COVID-19, Rochelle senior Kendal Ansteth continued working hard over the summer to improve her skills on the diamond. Whether it was through competing with the Express Fastpitch travel program or practicing on her own, Ansteth will be ready to be a leader for the Lady Hub varsity team when action resumes this year.

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Softball: Ansteth aiming to improve hitting skills

Senior catcher ready to step up for varsity team

Posted

Despite losing her most recent softball season to COVID-19, Rochelle senior Kendal Ansteth continued working hard over the summer to improve her skills on the diamond. Whether it was through competing with the Express Fastpitch travel program or practicing on her own, Ansteth will be ready to be a leader for the Lady Hub varsity team when action resumes this year.

“Losing my junior season to COVID-19 was hard,” Ansteth said. “I was really looking forward to the season because I felt like we would’ve had a pretty solid team. I was still able to play with my travel team over the summer and practice, which has allowed me to continue to be prepared for the upcoming season, and my travel coaches continue helping me improving.”

Ansteth earned brief experience with the varsity team during her sophomore season, working behind the plate as Rochelle’s starting catcher while teammate Maddi O’Rorke was sidelined. Already a stout defender, Ansteth said becoming a better hitter will be the biggest stride she hopes to make during her fourth and final season with the Lady Hub softball program.

“I had the opportunity to fill in on varsity for a couple of weeks and I enjoyed playing at a faster pace and working with the team,” Ansteth said. “I thought I did well as a catcher and this next season, I want to continue improving my hitting. My goals for my senior season are to improve my hitting, work hard and have fun because I think we’ll have a solid team this season.”

Ansteth has been an impact player on the softball field since taking up the sport at 7 years old. She began playing travel softball when she was 9, and she said she enjoys everything about the sport, from being on the field to making new friends, traveling and working as a team.