Claire Wernig leads Southeast's offense

Sophomore outfielder Claire Wernig of Southeast Missouri State's softball continues to have a breakout performance for the Redhawks this season.

Wernig is batting .297 and ranks in the top 25 hitters in the Ohio Valley Conference. This season she has earned 44 hits and 26 runs, leading the team in both offensive categories. Her 12-game hitting streak from March 20 to April 9 was the first double-digit hitting streak for a Redhawk since 2012.

"The biggest thing with Claire is that she knows her swing inside and out," coach Mark Redburn said. "She doesn't have to spend a lot of time working on her swing in the cage. She just knows when something is slightly off."

Redburn also gave credit to Wernig's skills as a learner, speaking highly of her openness to critique and correction.

"She does a tremendous job of being open and listening," Redburn said. "She's just very quick to learn. She can apply it very quickly and get herself right back on track."

Wernig's numbers as a sophomore have improved from her previous season at Southeast. As a freshman, she batted .285, scored 15 runs and started 27 of 41 games.

Since then, she has quickly developed into Southeast's leading contributor on offense.

Redburn believes this tough transition is normal for freshmen athletes.

"For all of our new and incoming players it's so difficult to make that jump, for the most part, from high school to our level, especially as a freshman," Redburn said. "You're just having to learn so much."

Redburn praised Wernig's ability to learn and adapt from her freshman season.

"She just came in this year and kind of knew what to expect and how to prepare herself," Redburn said. "She can make adjustments very quickly, and that's something you don't see from a lot of young hitters."

Wernig thinks she is able to adjust better now that the previous season is under her belt.

"As a freshman I would say I wasn't as confident," she said. "I had a lot to learn. Having the experience of last year helped me improve."

Practice, workouts and advice from her sister were also helpful in sharpening her game, she said.

Wernig brings more to the team than just offensive production. Redburn named consistency as one of her biggest strengths.

Her statistics this season would agree with this statement.

Wernig's 45 consecutive starts this year are the most of any active player.

She is one of only two Redhawks to start every game this season.

"Each and every day she's consistent with her approach," Redburn said. "She shows up every single day and gives her best effort. She's always focused, she's always locked in. I think her teammates really respect her for the way she goes about her business every day. From a coach's standpoint you love to have those kind of players. They don't get too up, they don't get too down, they just come to work every day and enjoy doing it."

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