By Joanna Chadwick
Every game that Trista Welty’s on the mound for the Clearwater softball team, she has a chance to set records.
With Clearwater sitting at 8-0, Welty owns the records for career innings pitched (302.1), strikeouts (343) and wins (39).
Welty broke the career innings record on March 26 in a win over Rose Hill, then pitched a perfect game in a 15-0, three-inning victory over Mulvane on April 6.
“She’s super focused,” coach Tyler Hampton said. “Right now, she’s trying to be the best possible pitcher she can be for her senior season. She’s locating her pitches really well, her spins are working. I think she has a lot of confidence every time she steps in the circle.”
That confidence comes from the work Welty has done in the offseason.
“She started pitching at a very young age,” Hampton said. “She fell in the love with the sport, specifically pitching. She has worked relentlessly on her craft.”
As a sophomore, Welty went 17 innings in the state semifinals against Wamego’s Peyton Hardenburger, who is now at Tennessee.
“They beat us,” Hampton said. “But Trista matched (Hardenburger) for 17 seasons. (Welty) had a great season up to that point, but that performance was the one that told her, ‘I can compete with anybody.'”
Welty isn’t doing it alone, though.
She’s got multiple returning all-state players on the field with her — senior right fielder Taylor Nielson, junior catcher Liv Miller, junior third baseman Makena Hampton.
In the outfield, there’s junior left fielder Sadie Straub and freshman center fielder Ali Thompson. Sophomore Peyton Ross is at second, freshman shortstop Tenley Konkel and freshman first baseman Ruby Minor. Senior Kaylynn Konkel is the No. 2 starter and senior Hailey Goforth is playing designated player.
“Liv is as tough as they come,” Hampton said. “She’s tough as nails. There’s not going to be a ball that gets by her, and she does a great job providing leadership behind the plate, barking out situations. She has a great arm, as well.
“MaKena has stepped into a little different position…. She’s had to step into a little different role. She’s grown into her leadership and become more vocal.”
Thompson, hitting leadoff, has a team-high .677 batting average.
“Then we have Taylor hitting two, Makena Hampton is the three and then Liv Miller. Those girls are big-time power in the 3-4 hole. Ruby is very consistent in the 5-hole, knocking runs in. She usually has one or two on base in front of her.”
