By Ken Hansard
The Beloit Trojans softball team finished 17-8 a year ago, but their season ended on a disappointing note when they were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Senior first baseman Ella Manning was a big reason for the Trojans’ success, and she would like to finish off her high school career by leading her team on a deep run in the playoffs. “This season I’m looking forward to playing with the upcoming freshmen and all the talent they bring. I want to finish my senior year out on a strong note.”
As a senior, Manning realizes that she will be largely responsible for helping to mold that young talent, “I need to lead by example and encourage my teammates on and off the field. I’m really working to improve my leadership skills. I want our team to strive to improve our team dynamic and go to state.”
If the Trojans are to have that kind of success, Manning knows that she will have to duplicate – and hopefully improve upon – her success from last season, “I’ve worked hard on my defense at first base through repetition, fielding grounders and working on transitioning. I also worked hard in the off-season to correct my hitting form through a lot of tee drills and focusing on contact and extension.”
Any improvement to her offensive skills should be icing on the cake, as last season Manning posted a batting average of .427 and an OBP of .472. She recorded 35 hits, with four doubles, two triples, a homerun, and 23 RBI. “My batting average has improved with the work I’ve done over the years. I’m proud of the work I’ve put in and the results.
Manning is highly active in her school and community. She has a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Kansas State University and major in animal science with a focus on pre-veterinarian studies.
