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Sunday, June 1, 2008
Boston Prospects
Central Kansas, KS
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Newton High’s Boston sisters compete with one another on and off the softball field
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On the field, we are teammates and we give our all to help our team,” says Erin. “Whether we are getting along at home or not – on the ball field, we are united.”
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Meghan and Erin Boston don’t mind if the other sister steals the glory with a game-winning hit or a spectacular play on the softball field. However, if one of them tries to steal the other’s clothes, there might be a problem.
“We love each other but we do get on each others nerves a lot,” says the elder sister, Meghan, a junior at Newton High. “We are extremely competitive and play everything very hard. We used to have some real physical one-on-one basketball games in our driveway, and neither one of us would back down. Dad used to have to referee to keep us from killing each other.”
Throughout their high school careers so far, the Boston sisters have brought that competitive attitude to the Newton softball team, and put it to good work in 2007 by leading the squad to a state berth. The team was one run away from state this spring, losing 1-0 to Great Bend in extra innings the regional final.
Meghan, an all-state first baseman in Class 5A last season, and Erin, named an all-area catcher by the Hutchinson News in 2007, led the Railer softball team in nearly every offensive category this spring – total number of base hits, extra base hits, triples, doubles, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
“We have played fairly well most of the time, but seem to have one bad inning per game,” Meghan said in mid-May, just before postseason began. “As the season has progressed, I believe we have improved and corrected some of the mistakes we were making earlier in the year.” Newton finished the season at 11-11, and the Bostons will lead an experienced team returning in 2009.
The Boston sisters’ talents extend beyond the batter’s box. At catcher and first base, the sisters are on the receiving end of most Newton outs. As just a sophomore this spring, Erin handled the Railer pitching staff at catcher, and Megan controlled the infield at first base. The sisters have come to expect a lot out of each other’s talent.
“I expect her to make all the routine plays and a few spectacular ones, too,” says Erin of her older sister. “And she has come up big with her bat and glove time and again. When I think she is letting down, I get on her. She works pretty hard, so I hardly ever have to say anything.
“She tries to help motivate me, but it usually makes me mad. Maybe that's what she wants because she knows when I'm mad I'll play harder.”
On the field, and off, Meghan has learned to hold her sister and herself to a higher standard of excellence.
“I expect a lot out of her. I expect more out of myself, but I do expect a lot out of her,” says Meghan. “We have played a lot of club sports and have many more (repititions) than some of the people we play with, so we should be able to lead by example. If I think Erin is dogging it, I let her know it. And she gets on me if she thinks I'm not giving it my all. We seldom ever have to get on each other as we usually are pretty intense.”
In the 2007 state playoffs, Newton ran into state juggernaut Arkansas City and their two NCAA Division I prospects Jacey Juden and Kashilia Young. The Railers fell 5-0 in the first round to the eventual champions. This season, however, the Railers brought two Division I prospects of their own to Ark City for a regular-season doubleheader, ending the defending champs’ 28-game winning streak in the first game. Meghan led the charge, going 3 for 4 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored.
“This was the first time I had ever beaten Ark City in my three years of high school ball, and with Coach Brunswig (Amber Brunswig, Newton softball coach) being a former state champion from Ark City, it was nice to help her beat her old team,” says Meghan.
The girls have benefited from a wealth of summer experience amassed in the last six years. Since the fall of 2006, the sisters have played club ball for the Wichita Mustangs, a local elite traveling team which has taken them to places like Las Vegas, New York City, Seattle, Miami and Houston. Playing for the team allows the girls to gain exposure that cannot be matched inside the state of Kansas.
“I have excellent coaches that help me to become a better player and give me the opportunity to play in front of a lot of college coaches,” says Erin. “Everything with the Mustangs is first-class.”
Chemistry on the field has never been an issue for the Boston sisters, but they have family feuds just as any other teenage sisters.
“Erin is very stubborn, bull-headed and won't back down,” says Meghan. “On the other hand, I'm more willing to walk away than get in trouble for fighting with her. She does like to steal my clothes a lot and that creates some real friction between us,” she adds with a laugh.
But regardless of their conflicts at home, both sisters have learned to control their relationship on the diamond.
“On the field, we are teammates and we give our all to help our team,” says Erin. “Whether we are getting along at home or not – on the ball field, we are united.”
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