Stoaks shows versatility

TJ Stoaks was a standout in multiple sports at Lenox, but was primarily a pitcher in softball while earning all-state status for the Tigers.

As she winds down her junior college career at Indian Hills, Stoaks is showing her versatility with hopes of continuing her career at a four-year college or university after graduating next month.

Stoaks played right field and pitched a little more than one inning for the Warriors during their sweep of Southwestern Sunday afternoon, 15-3 and 10-0. At the plate she lined out twice in the first game. In the second game she lined out and had a base hit, with stolen base and advancement on two

wild pitches to score.

The Warriors, receiving votes in the NJCAA Division I poll, improved to 32-8 overall and 11-1 in the ICCAC Division I standings with Sunday’s two conference wins. Southwestern fell to 11-27 and 3-11. Both teams finished the weekend doubleheader today (Monday) at 1 and 3 p.m. after the series was delayed one day because of Saturday’s inclement weather.

Stoaks will earn her associates degree next month, concentrating in biology and sports medicine with plans to transfer to a four-year school to play softball and earn a degree in exercise science on the path to becoming a physical therapist.

Stoaks was an effective hard-throwing pitcher in high school, but finds herself in a relief role for the Warriors who are loaded with five talented hurlers. Going into the weekend, she had a 3-0 pitching record with a 0.82 ERA with 13 strikeouts, 12 walks and 11 hits allowed in 17 innings.

As a regular in the lineup in the outfield or either second or third base in the infield, Stoaks is batting .295 with two home runs, three doubles, 18 RBIs and 21 runs scored.

“I started the year at second base but we had some injuries and I’ve played some third, but mostly in the outfield,” Stoaks said. “I’ve done a little bit of relief pitching. Today (game two) was my first start on the mound.”

Fifth-year Indian Hills coach Lindsay Diehl, former state champion coach at Osceola Clarke, said Stoaks has filled a valuable role on the team with her versatility.

“She does whatever we ask of her, and she does it all so well,” Diehl said. “She reads the ball so well in the outfield, especially for a kid who didn’t get a chance to do much of that. She’s just naturally a good athlete. I hadn’t given her a (pitching) start before today, but she did a fantastic job in relief the other day against Southeastern, so we gave her one today. She’s really good at coming in to provide damage control in relief. I know that Upper Iowa is among the schools looking at her as a utility kid who can play in the outfield, but also pitch some innings. She has that ability.”

Stoaks worked out of a bases loaded jam with one out in the first inning with a double-play grounder ending the threat. After a walk in the second inning, Stoaks was relieved by Sara Reid and moved to right field.

For Southwestern, shortstop Gabby Newman had two hits in the second game. In the opener, pitcher Emily McIntosh hit solo homer and Abbi Conrad reached base twice on a double and walk.

Southwestern split a doubleheader Friday on Sophomore Day, beating Central Community College of Columbus, Nebraska, 10-1 before falling 9-8 in the second game. Seven sophomores honored before the game were left fielder Shey Storesund, center fielder Julia Schechinger, right fielder Jennifer Katz, pitcher Emily McIntosh, catcher Peyton Rice, second baseman Abbi Conrad and shortstop Gabby Newman.