Jimtown High School

Jimmy softballers anxious to take the field By Red Williams Freelance Sportswriter ELKHART - Despite Northern Indiana’s “iffy” weather, Jimtown High School’s softball squad are more than ready to get the 2026 season going. Its season-opener will be against Warsaw at Jimtown Tuesday (3.24.26) with the first pitch at 5:30 pm. New head coach Jamie Kerrn said, “We’re a young team that’s really starting to come together. You can feel that chemistry building every day.” Kerrn is building her crew around three returning lettermen: Claire Carlson, Laula Winrott and Lily Gaugler. Each won accolades last season in the Indiana Northern State Conference. The Jimmies were 15-13 a year ago and tied for the league title with Tippecanoe Valley. Missing from last year’s squad are Kiyla Eberhart, the top pitcher, and the No. 1 slugger Kendal McPhee as well as Jasmyne Farkas. “We have a roster that includes five sophomores who are expected to make a big impact,” Kerrn related in an e-mail interview. “Fortunately, we are returning four strong pitchers, including Claire Carlson, our ace,” she added. Carlson was all-INSC last season as a freshman. “Our staff runs deep with girls who throw a variety of pitches. “It’s been exciting to watch some of our girls step into leadership roles and set the tone for the group. The energy has been high, the vibes are great, and we’re really ready to compete.” Kerrn played softball at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, where she served as an assistant coach for three seasons and as co-head coach from 2021-2024. She takes over the helm at Jimtown for Brandy Eberhart. Lamar Wingard and Blake Gaugler will stay on staff. Added to her staff for this spring are Allie Hill, a former Jimmy standout, Caitlyn Traxler, who played college softball at the University of Indianapolis and St. Mary’s, and Meghan Sink, a graduate of nearby Mishawaka Marian who continued her academic and athletic career at DePauw University, where she played golf.