Bearcats reloaded, off to fast start

Updated: April 22, 2011 2:06PM

They're the defending Class 2A state champions with signs on U.S. 30 honoring the achievement.

They're also off to a 7-0 start to this season after beating Hobart on Thursday night.

It wasn't supposed to be this easy after the Wheeler Bearcats lost several players to graduation, including two-time Post-Tribune player of the year Lanay Parks, Marcy Medina and MacKenzie Ness.

At least that's what the average fan might have thought.

Wheeler coach Marc Bruner was still confident heading into the campaign, and the perfect record just enhanced that confidence.

"I think our lineup and our bench are as deep as they've ever been," he said. "It's pretty fun to watch the kids compete in practice. In the past we've been able to pencil in a lineup every day, but this year could be different. We can play different matchups and see different results."

It helps that his squad hasn't missed a beat so far in the pitching circle. Senior Emily Bisch is the veteran hurler, but freshman Nickole Finch has stepped up with a 5-0 record and 47 strikeouts in those five games with a 1.96 ERA.

Despite the expectations after last year, Bruner doesn't feel the players have any added pressure on them.

"We know some teams will be lying in the weeds for us, but we've been able to replace some key losses. We've got a nice blend of youth and experience. These kids want to leave their own mark (on the program), so they will work hard. If there's pressure, it's internal."

Crisis averted: It's tough enough coaching a softball team when you're facing a tough Deneland Conference opponent. But when your pregnant assistant coach's water breaks in the dugout in the middle of one of those games, panic can set in.

Luckily, everything's fine after that particiular crisis happened April 7 during the LaPorte-Portage game.

Slicers assistant Holly Wireman was with child and had to be taken to the hospital quickly. She gave birth at 2:34 p.m. the next day to a healthy nine-pound, two-ounce, 22-inch-long girl named Reagan Elizabeth.

As for the game, LaPorte won 6-4 in nine innings with Hannah Fuller hitting two home runs.

Head coach Bob Severs said he's pretty sure Wireman's the first to have her water break during a softball game at Portage.

"It might be the only category we are leading at this point," he joked.

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