By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – Change is inevitable. Brad Gilbert has been through every nuance, from tweaks to wholesale alterations, during his 23 seasons as head coach at Bedford North Lawrence. The 2024 version of the Stars will fall somewhere in the middle of that scale after graduating so many veteran stars across the diamond.
That does not mean BNL is rebuilding from the dirt (or in most cases now, the turf) up. Several building blocks return, but there is intense competition for almost half the lineup as the new campaign officially gets under way. It’s going to be an interesting, and developing, preseason – perhaps even stretching into the first weeks of the regular season – as Gilbert sifts through all the interchangeable pieces for the best possible product.
“There are a lot of positions up for grabs, a lot of competition,” Gilbert said. “That’s always good. There is an uncertainty of who will play what position, which makes it unique.
“The good news is we have a lot of kids that can play different positions. At least they say they’re willing to try different positions. I could write a lineup out right now, and before the first game it would change, and it would change four or five times in the first four or five games.”
The starting point is the known, and that’s significant. The obvious focal point is junior Ava Ratliff, the best catcher in the nation. That’s not hyperbole, that’s just fact. She’s been named that twice by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association after slugging her way to amazing numbers and the brink of historic records.
Ratliff, who has verbally committed to South Carolina, blasted 22 home runs and hit .538 with 53 RBIs last season. She set school records for home runs, hits (57), doubles (16) and RBIs while powering the Stars to a 24-8 record. Those statistics were almost identical to her explosive freshman season. She’s already blasted 43 career home runs and will (barring something unforeseen) shatter the state record (50). Now Gilbert will count on her leadership to speak as loudly as her bat.
“She has had a great two years,” Gilbert said. “I expect her to pick up where she left off, and really be a leader this year. If things kind of unravel, we expect her to circle everyone up and get them calmed down.”
Softball is still pitching centric. BNL will rely on senior left-hander Aliza Jewell (9-2 last season, 25-5 for her career) to step into the spotlight as the main hurler, and continue her considerable contributions at the plate (.528, 6 HRs. 56 hits and 46 RBIs last year). She was a First Team selection in the Hoosier Hills Conference a year ago.
“Aliza will end her career in our top three in several offensive categories,” Gilbert said. “She has paid her dues. She has kept grinding away. In the circle, she has worked really hard.”
BNL will also count on junior shortstop Kendall Graves (a Butler recruit who hit .360 with 7 HRs and 33 RBIs last season) and senior Haleigh Canada to solidify the left side of the infield, while junior Tori Nikirk will find a spot in the outfield. Seniors Maddy Figg, Britta Warren and Anna Williams will play roles, and sophomore Sara Williams will be counted on for more production.
The unknowns revolve around the departures. BNL will miss All-Star hurler Annie Waggoner (now at Indiana State), veteran center field Braxton McCauley (Purdue) and second base fixture Lauryn Anderson, especially on the defensive side. “We had a good group of seniors last year that will be tough to replace,” Gilbert said. “I guarantee there will be a time where people look around and wonder ‘Where’s Braxton?’ If it was hit where she could get to it, she would get it. She roamed center and made play after play.”
The questions to be answered involve first base, second and the outfield slots. After the nine returning veterans, the other half of the roster is comprised totally of freshmen. One of them (Macee Nicholson) will be the second pitcher behind Jewell. Two others (Bella Warren and Danielle Stegeman) are already pushing for playing time.
In addition to personnel changes, BNL will also alter its strategy. The Stars relied on a lot of power over the last three years, and it served them well while winning two sectional titles and enjoying the best three-year stint in program history. This team will be faster and more aggressive. BNL will play only four games on dirt the entire regular season, so that speed will translate on the artificial surface.
“This team will be different,” Gilbert said. “There were times where we had three-run home runs and a double or two, and win. We’re not going to be a team that relies on the long ball all the time.
“One thing this team has is speed. We’re quick. We won’t be small ball like crazy, but we will have to be smart. We will manufacture more runs than we ever have the last three years. We will still have pop, but we’re going to focus on hitting a lot more doubles, going first to third, and stolen bases.”
BNL will be chasing Floyd Central (the defending league and sectional champions) for the coveted hardware.
“The first goal is to compete every night,” Gilbert said. “As long as we compete, we should be happy. At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is to win the conference championship and the sectional.”
The Stars will start the season on March 29 at Jasper.
