Haidyn Bassett

After a strong season last year the Oskaloosa Bears softball team have their sights set on getting to the 3A State tournament this year and they have started that path in impressive fashion going 4-0 last week to open the season.

The Bears blasted past ACCHS winning 21-0 and 12-1 in the season opening double header and then took care of Atchison 12-2 and 17-1 later in the week.

A key piece to the team last year and one of the top returning high school softball players in the State has helped Oskaloosa roll off to a strong start on the softball field as senior, Haidyn Bassett is already putting up strong numbers this season.

In the first game of the season a 21-0 rout of ACCHS, Bassett went 4-4 at the plate with six RBI’s, four runs scored, with a double and triple, while pitching three innings to earn the win, striking out seven and not surrendering even a hit in the game. In the second game of the double header with ACCHS she was 2-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a double.

The second double header of the year was much of the same for Oskaloosa winning the first game 12-2 against Atchison a game where Bassett was 3-3 at the plate with three home runs, seven RBI’s and three runs scored and pitched three innings for the win striking out all nine batters she faced. In the second game of the double header she was 1-1 with three walks and three runs scored.

Through the first four games of the season the second team 3A All-State pitcher is 2-0 in the circle with 16 strikeouts in six innings pitched and has not surrendered a run or hit and only one base runner via a walk. At the plate through the first four games Bassett is hitting the cover off the ball batting .833 with 10 hits, including six extra base hits, while recording 14 RBI’s, three walks and 12 runs scored.

The senior who is headed to South Dakota State next year to play softball is primed for strong senior season and partnered with her teammates the Bears are looking for another strong season the field and they have their sights on perhaps a trip to the State tournament.