Gibsonburg softball changed things up in order to relate better to one another
Sarah Gruner lacked experience at third base the last time Gibsonburg advanced to state in 2004.
Five underclassmen occupy starting spots as the Golden Bears play Strasburg-Franklin at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the state tournament at Firestone Stadium in Akron.
"To experience that as a young freshman, we have a young team now," Gruner said. "We brought it up. 'Hey, we haven't been here.' We're all going through this, it's OK to be nervous, but we're doing it together so it's OK type thing.
"I was in the same position they're in."
Catcher Cheyenne Reese, first baseman Emily Henderson and left fielder Leah Hall are freshmen.
"She's filled in some big shoes," Gruner said of Reese. "We're going to see some great things. We've seen great things freshman year and we've seen her improve. This is truly the beginning."
Shortstop Ansley Fleming and second baseman Aryah Ritchie are sophomores.
"She put in the time in the offseason," Gruner said of Ritchie. "Last year, she was thrown into a position. She decided to make the best of it and become the best second baseman I can.
"She came to every open cage and open field we had. She improved the most on our team and she's done a great job on offense and defense."
Junior Mariah McNett hit two home runs in the regional final and has three in the postseason.
"She's always been our vocal leader," Gruner said. "Mariah stepped up big. As center fielder, she's looking out for the whole outfield. She took [Leah] under her wing."
Gibsonburg (21-6) finished second in the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division to Hopewell-Loudon.
"At the beginning of the season, my assistants and I talked," Gruner said. "We had high expectations. We started somewhat strong, we hit Hopewell and it didn't go well. That led to Lakota and we were run ruled.
"This slump in the middle of the season hit us hard. We decided we were going to climb out."
Most coaches wouldn't have admitted their team needed it, but Gruner went uber-unconventional for the next game. Gibsonburg lost the next game 3-2 to underdog Woodmore, but Gruner didn't care about the score.
The lineup against the Wildcats was upside down and girls were deliberately out of position on defense.
"I wanted us to learn our own positions better," Gruner said. "Creeping on a pitch and backing up positions. They understood the game better. Against New Riegel at their place, we saw the team we could become.
"Hits started to string together and they enjoyed being part of a team. Since then, it's been great. We're a better team. More humble. Appreciative of teammates. They understand what we as coaches are asking of them a little better.
"We lost to Hopewell, still areas to work on and we've improved in those spots. We have to keep showing up and string hits. Defensively, we've been solid. Hopefully we see them again in the next few days."
Jenna Bloomfield has 288 strikeouts this season and 800 in three seasons. She has 32 home runs in her career.
"I've seen a big change from the beginning of the season to the end with her overall ability to overcome," Gruner said. "Her ability to let go of something that may not have gone her way and fight through.
"That's been impressive and something she can carry on in life and Toledo, at first base or third base or whatever position she plays."
The team also grew closer off the field.
"They've become such great friends," Gruner said. "They're playing together. They spend so much time together outside of practice. They don't see themselves as a young team. A lot of them have played together outside our high school team.
"There's something special about this team that they don't think about it. Being young gets in your head, but they're special. They work together and work hard and get it done."
Gruner is waiting to extoll advice on anything state.
"Not yet, right now we're having fun," she said. "We had a water balloon fight. Play relaxed. Yeah, we're in the final four, but it's family and we're having fun. Yeah, I'm glad we're still practicing, but we're having fun.
"I want them to enjoy the experience. Not matter the outcome, take it al in and soak up every second. Hopefully we'll be back, but it's a great atmosphere and experience to be part of."
Gruner and her teammates were emboldened by those around them.
"What sticks out the most is the community coming together and all being there," she said. "The cookouts and picnic style tailgates and hanging out together to support the team. I remember my family there and the overall excitement being there again.
"It was a great time to be part of. Each game we get more supporters. The families have always been there. It's a mix of young and old, the young girls look up to the older girls."
Bloomfield and right field Karley Mendoza, along with Sophia Simmons are seniors.
"These long [bus] trips, seeing them at Berea," Gruner said of regional. "The older girls appreciate the younger girls and the fans. It meant a lot. I remember walking out onto the field and seeing both sides' fans.
"It was an overwhelming experience I'll never forget and I can't wait to see that for our girls."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Gibsonburg coach Sarah Gruner knows exactly how Cheyenne Reese feels
