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Bobcat duo ready for softball
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| Teammates and friends: Brittney Batten, left, and Megan Ellsworth are not only competitors on the softball diamond, but they are also close friends. The two feel that with the talent returning for the 2007 season, a repeat state championship is within grasp. (Thelma Grimes/photo.) |
Thelma Grimes
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Playing for softball coaches on a national spectrum, Benson's Megan Ellsworth and Brittney Batten are getting plenty of playing time in the off season.
The high school juniors have been gaining a wide range of experience and exposure, competing in the Amateur Softball League. The two are competing for college-level softball coaches in weekend tournaments in California.
On the mound is Ellsworth, who has been turning heads since her freshman year when she came in dominating opponents with her power pitching and dedication. In the 2006 season, Ellsworth, in her sophomore year, was named the 2A East Region Player of the Year, after going 24-1 with 277 strikeouts and a 0.52 ERA.
The entire Benson High School Softball team gained state respect, becoming the 2A state champions with a 32-1 record.
Ellsworth said pitching for and against top-level athletes and auditioning for big-time coaches has given her some new perspective.
"You really get the opportunity to learn and improve," she said. "We are putting ourselves out there and getting exposure, and just hope to get noticed. You are playing against new faces and you have to adjust to the new styles of play that are out there."
Ellsworth said she's already interested in playing for the University of Stanford and perennial collegiate powerhouses UCLA or the University of Texas. She has gone as far as filling out questionnaires with the teams.
Even when she's not competing, Ellsworth can be seen on a regular basis in the high school weight room, or pitching on the softball field.
Behind the plate is Batten, who is also gaining a lot from the off-season action.
"It's a tournament, but for us the college coaches aren't looking at who wins the games, they are looking at who is making the plays," she said. "At first you are nervous, but the coaches keep a low profile and it gets easier. But when the coach from Texas was there, I was really nervous."
Batten also made a splash in the 2006 season, being named First Team All Region with two home runs and 27 RBI.
Batten was also a volunteer coach for the Benson Middle School softball team.
While competing in the amateur league has been fun, Batten and Ellsworth said they were definitely excited for the 2007 Benson season, which is slated to start in late March.
Both players are confident Benson will be a force to contend with, with plenty of returning stars.
"We have a lot of gifted people coming into the program and returning," Batten said. "I think we have a great chance of taking another state championship."
Batten agreed. "I think we are going to be fine. We did lose five seniors, but we have freshmen coming up. I think the team will be just as strong as last year."
Besides softball, Batten and Ellsworth are also excelling academically.
Ellsworth excelled in all three portions of Arizona's Instrument for Measuring Standards (AIMS), and Batten, excelled in two portions and has passed the other.
San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Playing for softball coaches on a national spectrum, Benson's Megan Ellsworth and Brittney Batten are getting plenty of playing time in the off season.
The high school juniors have been gaining a wide range of experience and exposure, competing in the Amateur Softball League. The two are competing for college-level softball coaches in weekend tournaments in California.
On the mound is Ellsworth, who has been turning heads since her freshman year when she came in dominating opponents with her power pitching and dedication. In the 2006 season, Ellsworth, in her sophomore year, was named the 2A East Region Player of the Year, after going 24-1 with 277 strikeouts and a 0.52 ERA.
The entire Benson High School Softball team gained state respect, becoming the 2A state champions with a 32-1 record.
Ellsworth said pitching for and against top-level athletes and auditioning for big-time coaches has given her some new perspective.
"You really get the opportunity to learn and improve," she said. "We are putting ourselves out there and getting exposure, and just hope to get noticed. You are playing against new faces and you have to adjust to the new styles of play that are out there."
Ellsworth said she's already interested in playing for the University of Stanford and perennial collegiate powerhouses UCLA or the University of Texas. She has gone as far as filling out questionnaires with the teams.
Even when she's not competing, Ellsworth can be seen on a regular basis in the high school weight room, or pitching on the softball field.
Behind the plate is Batten, who is also gaining a lot from the off-season action.
"It's a tournament, but for us the college coaches aren't looking at who wins the games, they are looking at who is making the plays," she said. "At first you are nervous, but the coaches keep a low profile and it gets easier. But when the coach from Texas was there, I was really nervous."
Batten also made a splash in the 2006 season, being named First Team All Region with two home runs and 27 RBI.
Batten was also a volunteer coach for the Benson Middle School softball team.
While competing in the amateur league has been fun, Batten and Ellsworth said they were definitely excited for the 2007 Benson season, which is slated to start in late March.
Both players are confident Benson will be a force to contend with, with plenty of returning stars.
"We have a lot of gifted people coming into the program and returning," Batten said. "I think we have a great chance of taking another state championship."
Batten agreed. "I think we are going to be fine. We did lose five seniors, but we have freshmen coming up. I think the team will be just as strong as last year."
Besides softball, Batten and Ellsworth are also excelling academically.
Ellsworth excelled in all three portions of Arizona's Instrument for Measuring Standards (AIMS), and Batten, excelled in two portions and has passed the other.
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