Posing A ‘Striking’ Presence

One of the great things in sports is a “pleasant surprise.” When a player that is not expected to contribute greatly in a certain aspect of the game steps up and does just that; contributes above and beyond expectations.

While the Nicholls State softball team entered the season with high expectations after making the Southland Conference Tournament a year ago, coach Jenny Parsons was not expecting to lean on sophomore Kodi Butler as a pitcher. And although what the Lady Colonels have done can hardly be considered as “leaning on” Butler, the sophomore from Lafayette has stepped into the pitcher’s circle and played a key role in Nicholls’ 4-1 conference start (12-9 overall).

“I didn’t expect to use her on the mound, but she’s a pleasant surprise,” the coach said. “She gives us a little more depth on the mound.”

Parsons said Butler’s consistency as a pitcher is one of her best assets.

“She throws strikes,” said Parsons. “That’s one thing that goes for Kodi, is that she doesn’t throw a whole lot of balls. She doesn’t walk a whole lot of batters and doesn’t put a whole lot of pressure on the defense.”

Those traits were on display in Butler’s first start against then No. 13 ranked UL-Lafayette. On that night, Butler earned a complete-game win, allowing just two hits in 24 at bats.

Butler’s opinion on that game?

“I was really nervous going into the game,” she said. “Since it was my first game and it was against UL. But it was exciting when I started doing it, and since it was UL, I really wanted to beat them.”

While Butler says she was nervous in that game, Parsons says the nervousness did not get in the way of the youngster’s confidence. “When she pitched against UL, on the mound that day, you could tell that Kodi was pretty confident in going out there and throwing the pitches she had to throw. When she gets on the mound, steps to the plate or gets in centerfield … you can see she has a lot of confidence about herself.”

Butler’s performance on the mound did not go unnoticed.

On Feb. 20, she was named Aeropostale Southland Conference Pitcher of the week. Following the performance against UL-Lafayette, Butler tossed a complete game three-hitter in a 3-1 win over Southern.

While the story of the season has been Butler’s surprise performance as a pitcher, she’s been just as impressive at the plate. On the season, Butler is batting .338, and has recorded 19 RBI’s, the second most on the team.

Parsons says that Butler’s exploits at the plate have been overshadowed by an impressive team-wide batting average. “She’s hitting over .300, it just so happens that half of my team’s hitting over .300,” the coach said. “She hits in the second spot, hitting behind Kat Harrell, and in front of Leah Peterson.”

With Harrell, one of the best hitters in the conference, leading off and Butler following, the Lady Colonels are often able to set the tone of a game early. “It’s awful nice when Kat gets up and hits a double,” said Parsons, “and Kodi hits a double right after to score the first run of the first inning. That’s something special right there.”

Butler agrees that hitting after Harrell is a positive. “I like to hit after Kat, because after she gets a hit, it makes me feel like I can get the hit after her,” explained Butler. “And Kat always gets the hit, so …”

So if the Lady Colonels continue to perform the way have — meeting preseason expectations with each win — they have a chance to reach their goal of a Southland Conference Tournament.

“Our confidence is good, right now,” said Butler. “We’re not overconfident because we know there’s stuff we still need to work on, but I think if we keep playing like we are, then we’ll finish up good.”

Parsons agrees that this is a year the team can take the conference. “We know this is a year that we can win this conference,” she said, “and that’s what we’re striving for.”

With the multiple talents of Butler, the Lady Colonels have one of their best opportunities to do just that.

Photo by Doug Keese * NSU * Kodi Butler has played a key role in Nicholls quick start in the Southland Conference. While the team is 12-9 overall, Butler is 4-1 at pitcher. She is also contributing at the plate, hitting over .300 and adding 19 RBI’s, which is second most on the team.

Doug Keese