Karns City softball’s Addison Burrows, Abigail Dunlap add value with versatility
They say too much of anything is bad. Flexibility on a sports team is certainly an exception, and Karns City has a heavy dose of it in Addison Burrows and Abigail Dunlap.
The senior and sophomore, respectively, give head coach Mike Grazioli multiple options when filling out the lineup card.
Both players are pitchers (combining for a 3.50 ERA this spring), but remain active when not in the circle. Burrows, a four-year starter, has played the outfield and every infield position.
Dunlap plays first base and, along with Burrows, has provided valuable depth at that position, especially since an injury to starter Aubrey Taylor last month.
“We really like Addison at second base, but she’s so versatile, fluid and quick,” Grazioli said. “She’s good no matter where she plays.”
Grazioli said Burrows handled 90% of the pitching duties her freshman and sophomore seasons. She saw the majority of innings last year, during which she reached 200 career strikeouts, but was spelled in numerous games by Dunlap.
“I struggled with my confidence before reaching the varsity team, but last year went well for me,” Dunlap said. “That meant a lot.”
A year older and wiser, Dunlap leads the Gremlins in innings pitched this season with 51. She recently pitched a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts against Union/A-C Valley.
“From the first time I saw her in practice, I thought: ‘This girl can bring it,’” Grazioli said. “She hides the ball well, then it just explodes from her hand. Her fastball has been as high as 57 mph (which equates to 80-plus in baseball) and she’s just a sophomore.”
Dunlap is 7-2 on the season with 68 strikeouts. Burrows, with all of her experience as a pitcher, offered words of encouragement.
“She’s matured a lot and is reliable,” Burrows said of Dunlap. “If I struggle (while pitching), it’s great for me to know that she can come in and get the job done. There was one game earlier this season when she struggled. I pulled her aside and said that I want her to have the same confidence in me that I have in her to do that.”
Burrows has struck out 36 this season and walked just nine in 37.1 innings.
“She’s developed well as a pitcher and has proven to be very durable for us,” Grazioli said.
“I love pitching, but I’ve always wanted to be a versatile player,” Burrows said. “I like seeing the game from different perspectives.”
Burrows and Dunlap are also stars at the plate. Both have hit a pair of home runs this season while driving in 17 runs. A leadoff hitter, Burrows is batting .381 with 20 runs scored and seven stolen bases.
Dunlap bats cleanup and carries a .302 average.
The Gremlins (11-4) aim to return to the District 9 championship game after falling to Saint Marys in the Class 3A title game a year ago.
“As long as we keep the right mindset, I think we have a good chance to win the district,” Dunlap said.
