P.O. Female Athlete of the Week: Laken Myers
On a softball team like Chambersburg's, on which nearly every player has headline-worthy talent, it may be hard to point out just one player who has truly made a difference.
But for those who knew what pitcher Laken Myers was capable of before Chambersburg's 13-1 run this season, the choice is easy. And now more than halfway through the season, Myers has abandoned any inconsistency and has emerged as not only the Trojans' go-to girl, but also one of the league's top pitchers.
Myers is the P.O. Female Athlete of the Week.
After a few adjustments to her pitching and hitting at the start of the season, Myers boasts a 6-0 record from the circle and is one of the team's top hitters since adjusting her swing.
Over the weekend, Myers threw a one-hitter in the opening game of the Big Spring Bulldog Tournament, then came in to finish the last three innings of the championship game against Greencastle-Antrim. In the last 14 innings pitched, Myers has given up just two earned runs, and has struck out 12 batters dating back to last week's win over Mifflin County.
"Laken's big thing is when she hits her spots, she's unhittable," Chambersburg coach Chris Skultety said. "She warms up better than anyone I know, and sometimes she gets over-hyped, but once she settles it, she's tough to beat."
By Skultety's request, Myers was in bed by 8 p.m. Friday before the tournament to make sure she was rested for a long day of softball.
"My mom even sent him a picture of me in bed by 8," Myers said. "I just felt on, that day. We were warming up and all my pitches felt pretty good. I was confident and I knew it was going to be a good game.
"At the beginning of the season there was a lot expectations for me, and I think (Skultety) coming in, expected a lot out of me, and the first couple of games I struggled."
But she worked on her approach in the circle and on her swing, which transformed from an uppercut from travel ball, to a solid level swing, aiding Myers in bringing in five RBIs over the weekend.
"In the last few weeks she's become one of our most consistent hitters outside of Leah Hunt," Skultety said. "She bought in to fixing (her swing) and she's really hitting the ball now."
Laken Myers, Chambersburg
Sport: Softball
Position: Pitcher, first base
Grade: Junior
Parents: Amber and Erick Myers
Other interests: She also plays volleyball for Chambersburg
Interesting fact: She wears another teammate's batting glove every time she bats.
Favorite team: Baltimore Orioles, Dallas Cowboys
Athlete most admired: Cheridan Hawkins, an Oregon softball pitcher
Statistics: At the Big Spring tournament, Myers threw a one-hitter in a 16-0 shutout over Muhlenberg, and came in for relief in the fifth inning of the championship game against Greencastle-Antrim ... She allowed just two earned runs through 14 innings of work, dating back to last week's victory over Mifflin County, striking out 12 batters in that span ... Myers produced five RBIs in the tournament.