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05/23/2018 12:00 AMCharlotte Young covers a lot of ground in the outfield as a member of the Guilford softball squad. The senior is also proving a valuable asset to the Indians with her leadership skills and steady bat this spring.
Charlotte learned a lot about softball from her older sister Lilly and then stuck with the game, playing third base for the team at Adams Middle School. Since joining the high-school team, Charlotte has emerged as a leader in center field throughout the past four seasons, helping Guilford reach its first SCC Tournament final last year. This season, she’s scored 10 runs to go with nine RBI for the Indians, who are having another solid year with their record of 13-6.
“Leading the outfield has been a lot of fun. It can be difficult at times, because you have to teach underclassmen the ropes and how the game is different from middle school, but I love the rush of making a big catch. It’s been a lot of work the last four years, but it’s paid off,” Charlotte says. “If a bunt is hit, I have to tell the other outfielders where to go and go to second base to cover the bag. I also communicate with them on when and where to move in, stand, and where the cutoff person is on a throw.”
Charlotte has developed a keen sense of timing in order to get a jump on a potential ball hit to her or her cohorts in the outfield. She’s also upped her game when it comes to creating pop at the plate.
“I’ve learn to adapt to track where the ball is. As soon as the ball is pitched, I start moving my feet. I’m also more confident in the outfield with backpedaling and calling balls with the other outfielders,” Charlotte says. “I never used to be able to hit the ball a lot. I am a sneak bunter with my speed, but I’ve been hitting more this year.”
Charlotte says that curbing her anxiety at the dish has played a big part in her offensive improvement. She adds that she’s also become better at identifying the pitches that work for her, as well as the ones that don’t.
“As a freshman, I was so nervous at the plate. I’ve seen how much I’ve grown by being less nervous when I’m up at bat,” says Charlotte. “I’ve also grabbed a sense of when to swing at certain pitches and when not to swing.”
Guilford skipper Steve Zajac describes Charlotte as a consummate professional with the way she leads the Indians. Zajac also calls Charlotte an X-factor who does all the little things that often draw the line between winning and losing ballgames.
“Charlotte has been a varsity player since her freshman year. She is one of the hardest-working players on the team. She is our leader in the outfield, leading our outfield through their daily drills and always willing to assist the younger fielders on the team,” says Zajac. “She has a way of coming through for some big hits each year, including a bases-loaded triple late in our 5-0 win over East Lyme. Charlotte does an excellent job of bunting for hits. It’s little things like this, always hustling, and working hard that will be missed most from Charlotte next season. Charlotte is also a great teammate, always cheering on and encouraging the other girls.”
Charlotte feels confident that the Indians can recreate some of their 2017 postseason magic this year. Along with timely hitting, solid pitching, and dependable fielding, Charlotte believes that playoff success also comes down to displaying leadership in those clutch moments.
“I know we have the potential to beat the same teams we did last year,” says Charlotte. “We are a strong team, but we are young, so as a leader, I have to help guide them and pick them up. If we do things like that, then we will thrive in the postseason and have the potential to go all the way.”