How Ames' Kaylee Mescher overcame a back injury to start the 2023 softball season strong

Kaylee Mescher is bound and determined to have a good 2023 softball season.

The Ames right fielder hit .250 with 15 RBIs last year as a sophomore. But she knew she could do a lot better.

Mescher played fall ball and did a lot of work in the weight room to start the offseason. She was busy training when back problems started to pop up in the winter.

Mescher tried to give it a go a few times during the spring. But her back limited what she could do.

Just prior to the season getting underway, she began to heal up. The talented sophomore was ready to go by Ames' opener against Creston May 22.

Mescher went 1-for-3 with two RBIs in a 7-4 opening win over the Panthers. She has been on a tear ever since.

"She hits the ball when we need her to hit the ball," Ames coach Meghan Von Behren said. "She's a quiet kid, but she works hard. I have full confidence that every cut she takes she's going to hit the ball. She can put down bunts and she's just great doing her job."

Through Thursday's home doubleheader sweep of Mason City (9-1, 9-8) Mescher is hitting .467 from the No. 2 spot in the batting order. She already has two doubles, 15 runs and 14 RBIs.

“I’m finally hitting the ball again after I had a slump last year,” Mescher said. “I’m just trying to square up the ball and hit those singles and doubles.”

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Mescher has had at least two hits in seven games.

“It’s really important to be useful at the plate and move people around,” Mescher said. “You’ve always got to be up on yourself and try and hit the ball.”

Mescher's rise could not have come at a better time for Ames. The Little Cyclones may have lost Iowa State signee Ireland Buss for the season to a ligament tear in her thumb.

Buss will still be able to pinch run, but it is doubtful she will be able to hit and play center field. She is confident Mescher can help fill her void.

"Kaylee has been my right fielder for a while now," Buss said. "To see her step up this year with all the experience she's had since an eighth-grader has been really fun. I think she's built her confidence and she's done it the right way — through hard work and persistence."

Ames' No. 1 pitcher, Sydney Smalley, is a sophomore classmate of Mescher. She loves seeing Mescher give her so much support on offense.

"I've known Kaylee for a really long time," Smalley said. "I've seen her grow a lot up at the plate. When she (hits) in the gaps and everything it's great to see, especially coming back from an injury. It's great to see her starting to thrive."

Thanks in part to Mescher's hot start, Ames concluded its sweep of Mason City with an 11-5 overall record and perfect 6-0 mark in the Iowa Alliance Conference North Division.

"I just want to keep getting on base," Mescher said. "I hope to spark the rest of the team to keep hitting and getting those Ws."

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames softball player Kaylee Mescher is off to a hot start in 2023