|
|
| Setting the double standard |
|---|
| Western Michigan’s Kristi Strange, a CHS grad, finishes among nation’s leaders in doubles |
|---|
 | | Photo courtesy of Western Michigan University | | Western Michigan junior and former Canby High School softball player Kristi Strange led the nation in doubles per game this past spring. She hit 23 doubles in 48 games and helped the Broncos to a 34-14 overall record. Western Michigan, however, was not awarded a NCAA Softball Tournament berth. |
|
By Ian Forrest
When Kristi Strange steps to the plate, she isn’t trying to hit a double.
It just happens. Often.
Strange, a former softball player at Canby High School who is now a senior-to-be at Western Michigan University, hit 23 doubles for the Broncos softball team this past spring. Her 0.48 doubles per game not only led the team, but led all NCAA Division I batters.
The extra-base hits, according to Strange, didn’t come from specifically aiming for the gaps in every at-bat.
“It’s just my natural swing — I’ve always had hits to left center or right center,” Strange said. “I just go up there thinking I’m going to hit the ball and wherever it goes, it goes.”
Strange led Western Michigan in hitting this past season with a .340 batting average. She also drove in 30 runs and hit five home runs in 48 games.
Those big numbers are nothing new to Strange, who was the 2004 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year. She hit .357 during her freshman season, but she insists this past spring was her best overall season.
“I felt like it was my best offensive season ever,” said Strange, who this summer is serving an internship with John Deere in Cedar Falls, Iowa. “My doubles definitely outdid anything I’ve ever done.”
Strange’s exploits were an individual highlight for the Broncos. Western Michigan’s season ended, however, when the Broncos were not called on the ESPNNEWS live broadcast of the NCAA Softball Tournament’s field of 64.
Western Michigan’s omission was a disappointment to the Broncos, who finished with a 34-14 overall record and 18-4 record in the MAC.
“Our coaches thought for sure we would’ve been selected,” Strange said.
The Broncos’ season included several wins over major programs, but because the majority of their wins came against mid-major opponents, Western Michigan was overlooked by the NCAA selection committee.
“It depends a lot on the big teams you beat,” Strange said. “But we beat Michigan, we beat Michigan State, we beat Maryland. We did everything we possibly could’ve to get in.”
Western Michigan’s final game came in the MAC Tournament, where it fell to Kent State in the championship game 2-1.
Next year, Strange hopes her team can make a return to the title game — and this time force a different outcome.
“I want a ring on my finger,” Strange said, referring to the tournament championship rings handed out to the winners of the Mid-American Conference tournament. “That’s pretty much my goal.”
A league championship was commonplace during Strange’s time at Canby High School.
Four years ago, she also helped the Canby High School softball team win a state championship. She was a second-team all-state selection after hitting .510 during her senior year.
Now, entering her senior year of college, Strange is happy to be wrapping up her college softball career in Kalamazoo, Mich.
“I love softball and I can’t imagine being anywhere else,” Strange said.
“This has been a great experience.” |
| Go to top. |
|
