When she was younger, Aubrey Steiner placed nearly every position on the softball field including being a pitcher. Recently, she was a starter at first base for the Zephyrs.

However, Steiner doesn’t totally recall how she became the team’s catcher, but her presence surely has been felt behind the plate. She also has realized and applied all the intricacies with the position.

“I don’t know how I got into catching, but I like it when I tried it,” stressed the senior. “I decided to stay with it.

“It is difficult to try and pick up everything in a couple of years. I feel that I have developed a pretty good chemistry with the pitchers to see what works and what doesn’t work. You have to pay attention to what pitches to call and when a runner is looking to steal.

“I don’t know if I will ever be perfect at it, and there is a lot to worry about. I have tried to do the best I can.”

Her effort and dedication has been appreciated by her coach.

“Aubrey is a consummate player,” offered Zephyrs’ head coach Jeff Vivian. “She really has come a long way behind the plate. She controls the pitching staff, had a strong defensive game, works on her offensive output, and is just an all-around leader.

“She makes a coach’s job easier with all the work she does.”

Steiner has been making strides with sophomore pitcher Morgan Laub, who took over the lead role this season. Through the first five games, the Zephyrs were 2-3.

“She (Laub) had improved a lot since her freshman year,” said Steiner. “She has really worked don her game, and you can see the results. I’m proud of what she has done.

“I feel she feels there is a lot placed on her, but she knows we have her back. There is a good defense behind her.”

Along with her catching, Steiner has been working on her hitting. Through the team’s first five games, Steiner was hitting. 211,

“I feel like I am in a slump,” said Steiner earlier. “I have been working on my hitting, and I know I can get back to where I should be. I always put pressure on myself to get better. It just has taken me a while to get into it this year.”

Steiner credits her father, Brad, for being the biggest influence in her career.

“He has really helped me through everything,” said Steiner. “He has showed me more than a few things with catching and hitting, and he has helped me to get better.”

Steiner hasn’t made her college choice, but she is leaning toward being a mathematics major. She doesn’t see herself continuing with softball either as a player or a coach.

“I may look into playing some club softball, and I don’t see myself as a coach,” said Steiner. “I may think about coaching because I could help young kids.”

Steiner certainly has done enough to help her current teammates.