Wheeler's Emily Bisch provides senior leadership and more

The moniker "Team Mom" might have been intended as a playful joke, but it's a title that might accurately describe Wheeler senior softball player Emily Bisch.

"She kind has made that impact on our team," Wheeler coach Marc Bruner said of Bisch, the squad's mental attitude winner the last two seasons. "Everyone looks up to her.

"She's not a rah-rah kid who might get annoying being positive. She's been such a great mentor."

As part of last season's Class 2A state championship squad, Bisch hit .361 with 21 RBIs and she was 7-0 on the mound. Through seven games this season for the Times No. 5 Bearcats (7-0), she's hitting .467 with six RBIs and four runs scored. As a starting pitcher, she's 2-0 with a 1.52 ERA.

"She's versatile (at the plate) and can hit the ball to all fields," Bruner said. "She's got the power to hit screaming line drives, but she can also just put the ball in play.

"Her spin, location and off-speed stuff are important. She kind of pitches backward. That changeup makes up for not having a quicker fastball. She keeps hitters off balance."

Bisch's mental approach keeps her balanced. Bisch missed the postseason two seasons ago with shingles, and last year she suffered a three-tendon sprain in her right ankle at the regional. She missed the semistate, but hobbled to the plate for two at-bats in the state championship game.

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