Omaha Westside varsity softball head coach TJ Eadus is looking for a quick turn-around after a 2020 season that saw the Warriors win seven of 25 games. She looks to a group of young players to help rebuild the foundation for Westside softball, as the Warriors try to get back to state for the first time since 2011.

“I’m looking forward to the sound this group has,” Eadus said. “They are very young and soaking-up all the things we are doing.  It’s awesome to see. This group has no quit and that is something I’m looking forward to this season.”

Despite being a young team, junior Ellie Bartsch-Bang said she’s looking forward to a successful season.  

“With only three seniors, we definitely have a new young team,” Bartsch-Bang said. “Our infield is filled with underclassmen besides one. As far as a particular someone to look out for, no one. We are just a team as a whole, I see us succeeding this season. Last year was a struggle, we hope to build on our mistakes from then.”

The Warriors were off to a hot start with the bats after picking-up their first win against Omaha Central, 14-2. Bartsch-Bang was a wonder to watch, batting 3-3 with a pair of two RBI home runs and a single. Sophomore Kaidence Dumas would also put one over the left field fence for a two RBI home run.

“Everyone has a role, each person contributes in their own way and talent,” Bartsch-Bang said. “Without everyone doing that we wouldn’t succeed.” 

Though this was an exciting first game for the Warriors they would have a challenge in the Cougar Classic Invite, held by Gross Catholic. Westside would start the tournament against Waverly, and found themselves down eight runs in the second inning. 

Although the team didn’t end-up winning, the Warriors showed fight late, and lost by only two runs, 12-10. They would then face Gross Catholic and were handed another loss. The Warriors would end the weekend on a high note, however, thanks to freshman Katie Nolan throwing a complete game, one-hit shutout against the Duchesne/Roncalli Cardinal Pride. 

“With having multiple people succeed at the plate it allowed us to string together hits and momentum,” Bartsch-Bang said. “After those two losses we just couldn’t get down on ourselves. Having a good mentality and knowing you will succeed, and if you don’t, your teammates are there to pick you up. The more runs we put up the more cushion we have for our pitcher and defense.”

Eadus said there were some positives and negatives that emerged from her team’s first weekend tournament.

“I’m happy with this weekend and how it went,” Eadus said.  “We were down to Waverly 9-1 and came back with a few singles, a grand slam, and a solo home run for back-to-back home runs. The game was intense and emotional. We ended-up losing, but to know they have that kind of fight was impressive. Our kids lost a little bit of energy and fell flat to Gross, but ended-up coming back to win the last game against Duchesne. With having a young team, that’s what we want to install and teach. Being able to maintain that energy, momentum, and not having the moment be too big for any of our kids.”