Headshot courtesy of Central Athletics

Continuing the Central Softball team awards series, sophomore second baseman Lauren Birt has been named the team’s Most Improved Player.

In the shortened 2020 season, Birt cracked the starting lineup in all seven games. She racked up a batting average of .250 on the season, with a slugging percentage of .375. While the shortened season denied Birt the chance to significantly improve her average at the plate, she was able to refine her skills in the infield, with a fielding percentage of .941.

A highlight of Birt’s shortened season was back-to-back multi-hit games, with three against Dominican in Rochester, Minn., and two against Transylvania the following weekend in Tucson, Ariz.

A native of Ankeny, Birt will begin her junior campaign with the Dutch next spring, and will look to strengthen her leadership skills within the program as an upperclassman. Central finished the shortened season with a 6-1 record.