Strauss, Adams lead Goshen to sectional softball final

GOSHEN – They’ve been through a lot together.

Goshen High School seniors Bethany Strauss and Rian Adams became friends and softball teammates in kindergarten. In their final season together on the diamond they led the Warriors to a 12-10 record and a runner-up finish in the Southern Buckeye Conference American with a 7-3 league record.

Goshen fell 4-1 to Wilmington in the Division II sectional finals May 20 after posting tournament wins against McNicholas and Clermont Northeastern..

“Our senior leadership stepped up and played the way you want seniors to play,” said Goshen head coach John Strauss, who is also Bethany’s father. “They really did a good job of keeping things calm when we weren’t playing well and setting an example.

“(Bethany and Rian) have led this team in everything like seniors should. They’ve been to everything, never miss a practice, always have something good to say to the other kids. That’s what really helped us grow up this season.”

Adams led the team in hitting with an average in the neighborhood of .400. She committed no errors at first base during the regular season.

“Unheard of,” John Strauss said. “She’s just accomplished. She doesn’t make throws that aren’t necessary and she fields everything in front over her like a vacuum cleaner. She doesn’t make many mistakes.”

In the sectional final game Adams went 2-for-3 and was part of a 6-3-5 double play illustrating her quick thinking and strong arm. Wilmington had a runner on second with one out when the batter hit a grounder to short. She held up momentarily as the throw went to Adams at first for an out.

But Adams rifled the ball across the infield to nail the advancing runner at third base by three steps and end the inning.

Bethany Strauss led the team in runs scored and stolen bases. She said she is aggressive on the base paths “just by being smart, knowing what you can do and can’t do. You want to make some havoc, but not too much that you’re out of control.”

“In control” is not something Adams claimed to be in her youth softball days. She recalled a U12 game at third base, fielding a grounder and getting her cleats tangled up in her shoelaces. She fell and didn’t make the play.

“I always remember that,” she said. “It was kind of funny.”

Strauss said her favorite memory was simply the bond she forged playing for her father, one Adams - whose dad, Gary, is a Warriors assistant coach - quickly echoed.

“The whole experience of doing this with my dad is the best,” she said. “It’s been pretty special for both of us.”

Strauss and Adams were first-team all-SBC picks this season, as were junior center fielder Bailey Rogers and sophomore shortstop Ashleigh Campbell. Junior second baseman Shalee Gray and sophomore third baseman Annie Gadberry were second-team selections.

Strauss will attend Miami University next school year and plans to study social work. Adams matriculates to Wilmington College. While she may try to walk on the softball team, her primary focus will be pursuing a degree in early childhood education with a minor in art.