Bates Scholarship: Triway's Carter Wachtel enjoying 'experience of a lifetime'

There are so many words that can be used to describe the next Roy S. Bates Scholarship recipient.

The word that sticks out the most is "legacy."

The eight scholarships given to the area's elite student-athletes by the Bates Foundation are well-deserved by all, but Triway's Carter Wachtel has done more than most local athletes have ever done on a softball field.

Wachtel has created a legacy over her four years, cementing her spot not only in Titan history, area history but also in state history. Currently, the senior is sitting just 50 strikeouts away from becoming just the 32nd girl in state history to ever notch 1,000 career strikeouts, already striking out more than anyone in recorded Wayne/Holmes history. Her 81 career wins is 16th all-time in state history and even bigger, her team is 16-2 in the OHSAA State playoffs including a Division II state title in 2022. This year she has posted a 0.29 ERA, fanned 177 in 95⅓ innings while hitting .562, six homers and 33 RBIs.

Softball Power Rankings: Wachtel, Gatti keep Triway at No. 1

"We've had a magical couple years, we're looking to finish out strong and are bringing up some younger girls" said Wachtel. "But it's all been the experience of a lifetime."

There is little question that Wachtel was a big part of putting Triway softball on the map over the past few years, not just locally, but statewide. It's evidenced by the number of top-ranked teams across the state that want to add them to their schedule each year.

"It means so much, we've came out and competed, we performed, we showed everyone what the organization is, what Triway softball can be and what it will be," said Wachtel about the legacy she has helped create. "This will carry on, people will remember. Now we are going into tournament play and we are going there to compete."

Still beyond the success, beyond the numbers, beyond the accomplishments, Wachtel hit on something that means a lot to her. Something that she believes stands above the everything that she has helped to accomplish.

"Honestly, the most important thing, more than the success that comes from all of it, it's just the way we act, our sportsmanship, how we act in the dugout, how we treat each other, picking each other up, it's just more about character than the accomplishments," Wachtel said. "I mean, those are super great too, though."

The Georgia Tech-bound senior couldn't help but think about all those that helped her get to where she is today. How she has grown in her game inside the circle, from gaining stamina and gaining speed with her pitches.

"Ever since I was a freshman, I've always had girls motivating me," she said. "All my girls on my team, they all work so hard, and we just rub off on each other."

As for who has motivated her the most?

"Oh gosh, everybody plays some sort of role," she said. "Whether it's picking someone up, or performing out there, or if I am not doing the best inside the circle, just being there.

"Everybody, from the teams I've been on throughout the years. Especially my freshman and sophomore year, where I had those older girls to learn from and they always had my back, and these girls do too."

As a senior, she has learned how to close out games and continues to hone her craft that separates her from so many — her pitching.

"I had the basics down as a freshman," said Wachtel. "I knew what I needed to do and I kind of have gotten stamina over the years, I've figured out how to go all the way in games and uphold our success. I've definitely grown in that aspect and also speed, I've gotten faster, but my work ethic has stayed the same throughout the years."

There are few things, she will take away from all of this beyond the success.

"I will always cherish all the friendships that I've made," said Wachtel. "Even the girls that I was friends with when I was a kid, we definitely grew stronger because we came out and got to play the sport that we love.

"It's truly gone so fast, especially doing this, doing what we do every day, it's gone so fast, it truly has. I mean, you blink and you're there."

The senior is excited to be a finalist for the Roy S. Bates Player of the Year Award and is looking forward to the tournament and to what her future holds.

"It means so much to be selected, it's such a great opportunity and such a great honor," she said. "I am going to be there with a lot of great kids, and I'm really excited about it.

"I am so excited to see what my future holds," she added. "Obviously I love high school, I love high school ball, I love all my friends, but I am really excited for the next step. I am going to go to the city, and I am going to experience college as a freshman and I am so excited to play with those girls, they are having a good year."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Bates Scholarship: Triway's Carter Wachtel leaves legacy at Triway