Softball: Bartlett's Wolfsmith wins 300th game
A lot has changed since Jim Wolfsmith started coaching softball 14 years ago. One thing that hasn't is Wolfsmith's love, enthusiasm and passion for the game.
Even on Tuesday with the winds whipping up, temperatures plummeting into the 30s, and a cold drizzle beginning to fall, Wolfsmith, a jovial and larger than life figure dressed in his customary shorts and windbreaker, was undeterred and seemed to be enjoying himself more than ever as he joked with coaches and umpires and called out words of encouragement to his players.
It has been that positive approach that has helped to cultivate a winning tradition on the softball diamond for Bartlett for so many years and has allowed Wolfsmith to reach 300 career wins. The veteran coach, who has twice taken his team to the state finals in 2007 and 2012, achieved the milestone with a 15-0, 5-inning slaughter rule win over host Streamwood in Upstate Eight Conference action.
"I have been so blessed with great players through the years," Wolfsmith said. "The most amazing thing has been watching the dedication of these athletes that truly care about their craft. They have made my job easy and a lot of fun. There has been a lot of great memories. The two trips downstate certainly come to mind. And even every bus trip has been awesome. It's just been a lot of fun. And this is another great group of kids we have this year."
Wolfsmith has enjoyed how the game has evolved since he started coaching.
"I think one of the neatest things has been watching how this sport has come to the forefront not only locally but on the national level too," Wolfsmith said. "It's just great to see college softball at prime time on ESPN. That wasn't the case too long ago. It's just been so neat to be a part of the sport in a decade that has seen it come so far."
The Hawks (4-3, 1-0) were clicking on all cylinders in its first game back after a trip Tennessee over spring break.
Bartlett scored runs in every inning, starting with 3 in the first, followed by 4 in the second, 4 in the third, 1 in the fourth, and 3 in the fifth.
Alyssa Nowak had a sacrifice fly in the first and a 2-run double in the second to fuel the offense.
"We knew it was a big milestone for coach and we wanted to get this win for him," Nowak said. "He is really good at pushing us to be as good as we can be."
Leadoff hitter Katie Furnoff went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored. Taylor Rotundo blasted a 3-run homer in the fifth inning. Elyse Hickey, Sydney Qualiano and Amber Pagan each added RBI hits.
After yielding 2 hits in the first inning, Danielle Kirby was lights out on the mound, retiring 13 of the final 15 batters she faced. Kirby struck out 8 and walked 2.
"It was very exciting to get the win for coach," Kirby said. "He makes playing on this team a lot of fun."
Jessica Daley took the loss for the Sabres (3-3, 0-1).
"We just keep trying to learn from every game," Streamwood coach Natalie Randazzo said. "We made some good contact at the plate, but just didn't get enough hits."