by: Joanna Chadwick

With a 16-0 start to the season, the Derby softball team is looking to etch its name into the school record books. 

Longtime coach Christy Weve commends the team on their ability to fight. 

“They are feisty. They support each other well on the field,” Weve said. “Every game, someone different seems to step up.”

The Panthers have a lot of pieces this year, and all of those pieces have been seeming to mesh really well. 

Junior Addy Canfield and senior Trinity Kuntz have used their longtime childhood connection to help throw batters off all season. Canfield is leading the team with 84 strikeouts. 

Kuntz is leading the way at the plate with a .558 batting average and 24 RBIs. Junior Kyler Demel is right behind her teammate with a .536 average and 21 RBIs. Canfield has 24 RBIs and senior Chloe Enslinger has 18 RBIs. 

Despite the undefeated start, Weve has kept it simple for her team this season. 

“Work on basics, play for each other and have lots of energy,” Weve said. “I know our team can compete with anyone.”

With a different Panther stepping up every night, the praise has been high for everyone, but Weve knows how to keep everyone levelheaded. 

“We talk about the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses,” Weve said. “(We) always try to improve on fundamentals and (have) lots of repetition.” 

The team’s road doesn’t get any easier, but with a state championship in mind, they are only going to get better.