Zionsville softball players sign with college programs | Sports

Six Zionsville softball seniors made their college choices official this fall.

The six players – Maddie Benedict (Case Western Reserve), Abbie Geib (Trine), Olivia Kohler (Emory), Lucy Long (Franklin), Sylvia Mudis (Purdue-Northwest) and Charli Westerfield (Purdue-Northwest) – were honored at a signing ceremony on Tuesday at ZCHS.

“When this group came in as freshmen, we knew they were athletic and talented, and would make a huge impact on our program,” Zionsville assistant coach Bri Wagner said. “They have put in the time outside of just our normal practices and have worked hard to make each other better. It is nice to see all their hard work and effort pay off and for these college coaches to see their dedication to the sport. We are extremely proud of them.”

Benedict batted .308 last season with a home run in five RBIs in a season that was limited due to injury. The year before she batted .311 with two home runs and three doubles.

She joins a Case Western team that was 40-9 last season under head coach Josie Henry, reaching the Division III World Series.

Geib batted .339 with a team best six home runs and 21 RBIs a season ago.

She joins a Trine program that was 43-5 a season ago under head coach Donnie Danklefsen. Trine advanced to the NCAA Division III Super Regional.

Kohler was fourth on the team with nine runs scored a year ago, adding a double and two RBIs.

Emory, a Division III school in the University Athletic Association, finished last season 24-16 under head coach India Chiles.

Long joins a solid Franklin program that went 27-14 under head coach Brittney Harvey last season, placing second in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Mudis hit .403 last year, driving in 16 runs and hitting seven doubles and two home runs. She led the team with 16 runs scored.

Westerfield hit .269 while scoring 10 runs and hitting five doubles.

They join a Purdue-Northwest program that was 33-22 last year under head coach Tristan Zink. The school is an NCAA Division II school that plays in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The group helped Zionsville finish 13-9 last season and they return essentially the entire roster.

“I am excited to see what these girls do this season,” Wagner said. “They are incredible leaders and have gained more confidence in their own abilities. I can’t wait to watch them compete this year and we are looking forward to one last season with this senior group.”

There was a large group gathered to celebrate the six, with family, friends and the whole high school softball program.

Wagner said it was good for the younger girls in the program to get a chance to watch the celebration and see some of the things that are possible.

“These seniors probably don’t realize the number of younger athletes that look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps,” Wagner said. “Committing to play at the collegiate level shows the younger girls in our program that it is possible to reach those goals if they put in the work.”

Will Willems is the Sports Editor of the Lebanon Reporter. Follow him on Twitter @Will_Willems.