Leaving behind a legacy of records for Alpena softball
ALPENA, Mich. — The Alpena Wildcats can tip their hat to an outstanding Division 1 softball playoff run, advancing to the regional final for the second year in-a-row. The Wildcats ended their season (27-12) overall after losing to Bay City Western.
Senior Emma Fraser walks away from the high school level with eight records, four broken in 2019. She will play ball next season at Alma College. In 2018, Fraser broke the season doubles, runs, hits and batting average record, but her senior season did not start off so hot.
“In the beginning of this year I was going through a little slump and I think it was because I had all of these records dangling in front of my face,” said Fraser. “I could just reach out and touch them.
The pitcher is proudest for surpassing the season batting average, which she set in 2018 at .540.
“I’m pretty sure I went 0-for-12 in the beginning. I really had my dad to thank for my improvement. He really understood what was going on.”
The senior’s teammate and co-ace pitcher Jade Schultz currently holds the record for most home runs in a season and career. As a freshman, Schultz launched ten, and this year she hit 12 as a junior. Schultz totals 25 dingers.
“I just have a lot more confidence coming up to the plate. Like the first couple games when I hit my first couple of home runs I just got a lot more confident with myself,” said Schultz. “Usually I have one strike or two strikes on me and it’s kind of like the pressures on. Three and two count, that’s the best time to hit.”
Fraser also passed 2001 Alpena graduate Christin Sobeck’s career hits and doubles record, finishing with 218 hits and 58 doubles.
“We’ve had some wonderful athletes come through,” said 12-year Alpena Assistant Softball Coach Sobeck. “You know, I know it’s so fun to have records and everything else, but if you can have your student athletes beat the records then it means I did my job as a coach to prepare them.”
Fraser walks away with the season and career records for hits, doubles and runs. Plus, career RBI’s and best season batting average. Fraser is a Wildcat role model that other players will look to follow.
“I didn’t want to leave as just some other player and that’s the same with college,” said Fraser. “I don’t want to go in there and just be some player. I want to break records and I want to make memories, so that was really special.”
The former Wildcat plans on studying to become a dermatologist while playing ball with the Alma Scots.
Records Broken
Emma Fraser:
Batting Average (Season) – .540 (2018)
Hits (Season) – 74 (2018)
Hits (Career) -218 (16-19)
Doubles (Season) – 22 (2018)
Doubles (Career) – 58 (16-19)
Runs (Season) – 57 (2018)
Runs (Career) – 169 (16-19)
RBI’s (Career) – 143 (16-19)
Jade Schultz
Home Runs (Season) 12 (2019)
Home Runs (Career) 25 (17-Current)
