Winning games is one thing, but winning hearts along the way is another. During a hot and humid Tuesday practice before the state title game, the Trojans’ softball team is winning hearts before they even play a game, thanks to a special guest among them.

Jerry Koester, who is a 32-year Center Grove softball fan, has a smile plastered on his face following the practice, but a lot more can be told from his eyes. Specifically, the way his eyes light up when talking about senior Sydney Herrmann.

“Outside of softball, she is one of those young ladies that you admire her skills on the softball field, but then you find out that she’s exceptionally intelligent,” Koester said. “Her personality and her intelligence are going to take her a long way in life. She’s quiet, and she’s a classic example that you don’t judge a book by its cover. On the softball field, she’s the most valuable player for a reason. She has leadership skills, and best of all, she is going to be successful in life in my humble opinion, because she is a winner in the classroom, and a winner in the softball field.”

An influence so big, it’s hard to believe that softball wasn’t her first sport.

“I first started playing when I was about five or six for the Diamond Dusters,” Herrmann said. “At first, it was my second sport because I was doing competitive gymnastics at the time. But then, I joined a travel team and started going to lessons, playing at a higher level, and I realized it was just a thing for me. It really clicked.

When she was about nine years old, Herrmann realized her talent for softball. A powerful home-run hitter from then on, she managed to crack the varsity Center Grove team as a freshman, where she was exposed to players of another skill level.

“It was definitely a big jump because I was playing against high level girls that are also four years older than me. I would say my teammates helped me with that jump because they push you to become better. That’s what helps you become better overall,” Herrmann said.

One of the biggest things Herrmann has learned over the years is how to deal with different kinds of pitches. Roncalli, a close-proximity rival, boasted pitcher Keegan Rothrock, a Florida Gators softball player and 2024 SEC all-freshman. Her presence sharpened Herrmann’s skill as well.

“Seeing different pitchers growing up and having that four more years of experience has meant the world because the more pitchers you can see, the more you know how to attack those,” Herrmann said. “[Rothrock] was very good. She was probably one of the best pitchers I ever faced that showed me velocity and spin and gave me a challenge for sure.”

Being a four-year varsity player, and someone to be counted on in big moments, can come with its share of pressure. Herrmann, however, does not operate that way.

“I honestly think it gives me confidence. When I know other people believe in me, it helps me know that I’m going to be able to do it too. I want to be that rock for people. Overall, when I step up to the plate, I just want to do it for my teammates, and that’s what gives me strength,” Herrmann said.

When she steps up to the plate, Herrmann can create magic, which she owes to her ability to not overthink her swing.

“Honestly, this might sound stupid, but when I go up there, I obviously have an approach,” Herrmann said. “I know what the pitcher is throwing, and I have spots where I want to hit it, but I mainly try to not think about too much. If you’re trying to overthink your swing, you’re going to try to overcompensate something you don’t need. I just sing a song in my head, try to go up there and hit the ball.”

The Dartmouth commit secured the sectional title for the Trojans with a double, and her performance against Carmel in the regular season lifted the Trojans to an important moral victory in the middle of the season. However, big performances in big games are not a result of the stakes. They are the standard.

“[Head coach Alyssa Coleman] overall holds us to a high standard, and that pushes us to become the best players we can be,” Herrmann said. “We consistently try to meet that bar. I wouldn’t necessarily say any higher stakes game changes our gameplay because we try to be that same team we can be and raise the bar in every game. When we lose, I think it lights a fire under us to do better. It stings for sure, but it makes us want to work harder and beat the next people even more.”

That fire has propelled the Trojans to a 15-game win streak en route to a state finals appearance, where they will play Crown Point for the title. However, even with the stakes raised, the story around the game will be one of a family formed in the community, a community of guys like Jerry, Tom and Dave, usually in the stands, at games and at practice.

“Fans like Jerry Koester mean so much to our program,” Herrmann said. “Not only him, but Tom and Dave have been supporting CG Softball for over a decade. Tom and Jerry not only show up to games, but they also occasionally attend our practices. On top of that, all three of them form personal connections with the girls on the team. When we play softball, we’re not only playing for each other, but also for the fans who have given us so much time and support. Their dedication means so much to our team and our program.”

In the Center Grove community this summer, Herrmann has struck a chord with the most faithful fans. In doing so, she repays the support the community has given her throughout her softball career.

Their support is what fuels teams to achieve things greater than themselves. Winning is great, but winning hearts makes a difference in a different, but deeper way.

Whatever the result may be in the state title game, Herrmann will be fueled by the support she gets from her teammates and her community.

Who knows? Maybe the key to an eighth softball state title isn’t just the individual abilities of the players.

Maybe it’s the hearts they win that push them to glory.