by Brooke Hall
As the Crimson Pride baseball and softball programs gear up for their second season, a lot of exciting changes are in the works. This year, the teams will play on their own home fields at CERAland Park, along with brand-new scoreboards. They’re introducing new coaching staff. And both teams welcome a combination of new and returning players.
“We learned a lot last year, our inaugural year with Crimson Pride athletics, and we’re continuing to build our programs,” said Zach McClellan, IU Columbus Athletic Director.
Baseball
Head Coach Scott Bickel welcomes three new assistant baseball coaches. Brennan Laird joins with his bachelor’s degree in business from Earlham College (Richmond, IN), where he made first team all-conference and set a program record for stolen bases. “I really liked the vision Coach Bickel has, it intrigued me. I’m here for the students, so they can be the best on and off the field,” Laird said.
Assistant Coach Connor Morris earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Anderson University (Anderson, IN) where he was a four-year starting shortstop. Morris noted that he’s excited to be part of a new collegiate program.
The team is also proud to add volunteer coach Dan McCarty, who joins with seven years of coaching experience, multiple coaching awards and an unparalleled passion for the game.
For the 2024 season, McClellan noted that the team substantially upgraded its position players, with competition for each position, which “leads to urgency and pushes excellence.”
McClellan called out talented incoming freshmen Cam Richey (Austin, IN) and Lane Zohrlaut (North Vernon, IN), as well as transfer student Casper Clark, a Columbus North graduate who played at IU Bloomington.
Coach Bickel noted that he’s especially proud of the work of the Fellowship Service Engagement Program, a player-led initiative off-the-field to create a “culture of givers.” Returning players Conner and Alec Beatty, Kaleb Richards and Wyatt Sutton have led their teammates in more than 1,000 hours of community service work in the past year.
Softball
Softball has the highest pre-season rank of any of the Crimson Pride sports, predicted as tenth in the River States Conference, according to a coaches’ preseason poll.
“Their ranking is really a testament to the tenacity of the women who played softball for us last year, despite a tough season, injuries and a limited roster,” McClellan said. “Head Coach Tommi Stowers has been building and growing her roster and adding depth, strong competitors, and growing in her role with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.”
Returning players Gracie Holok, Sydney Owens, Taylor Poling and Morgan Stieneker are all stepping up as softball co-captains this year. For Stieneker and Delanie Bronner, that comes after a busy fall season boosting their fitness levels by running for the Crimson Pride cross-country team—and Stieneker was recognized as a River States Conference Scholar Athlete.
In addition, Izzy Johnson was a starter on the inaugural Crimson Pride women’s soccer team, and Macy Hussing and Taylor Hadley joined the women’s volleyball roster.
“It’s really unique to be a dual-sport collegiate athlete, especially as a freshman and for a startup program! You can just see our athletes’ determination and work ethic, and I’m so proud of how they’ve stepped up,” said Head Coach Tommi Stowers.
Stowers also introduced Emily Knapp and Nolan Meier, who join this year as softball assistant coaches from the Columbus community, both local softball players enthusiastic about developing this second-year team.
In addition, Stowers called out her starting pitchers Sydney Owens and Erica Henry, as well as Lex Heafner on third base, as “bringing the team to a whole new level.”
With 11 newcomers joining the softball program, Stowers is also working on team building and hosts Funday Fridays to build camaraderie and focus on mental health.
“Athletically, we have the team to be on top,” Stowers said. “If our team chemistry is there—and we stay connected and have trust for one another—we can beat anybody!”