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Following an electrifying freshman season for the Morristown West Lady Trojans in which she was named Citizen Tribune’s Lakeway Area Softball Player of the Year, Briony Bunsic had a lot of expectations coming into her sophomore year.

She lived up to those expectations and beyond this year, dominating District 2-4A in the circle and at the plate. Because of this. she was named the Citizen Tribune Lakeway Area Softball Player of the Year.

She’s now a two-time Citizen Tribune Lakeway Area Softball Player of the Year, doing so in just her first two years of high school.

“Coming into this season I wanted to get stronger and get my velocity up,” Bunsic said. “I took my strength and conditioning seriously and continued to play high level travel ball.”

The work in the off-season was evident at the plate. She hit .456 with five home runs, leading her team in five offensive categories. Ramping up the strength and conditioning wasn’t the only change she made in the off-season, however.

“Up until a year ago, I had always been a right-handed hitter, but my Dad wanted to see if I could have more success from the left side of the plate,” said Bunsic. “One year later after a lot of work, it proved to be a great decision for me offensively. I was able to help my team so much more aside from the pitcher’s mound.”

The circle is where she really shined. She finished district play with a 0.00 ERA and 87 strikeouts. She had an overall ERA of 1.70, and finished the season with 193 strikeouts, bringing her career total to over 400 already.

“I just had to trust my ability and my defense. I’m lucky to have such strong players on the field with me,” said Bunsic. “I focused on thriving in pressure situations. When there are runners in scoring positions, I work even harder. That’s the mindset that works for me.”

Her sophomore season wasn’t without adversity. Late in the season, she broke her finger, and was faced with a crossroads. Put her health first, or put the team first. For Bunsic, the decision was easy.

“When I broke my finger, we were about to go into district play. I was told I shouldn’t use it for about six weeks,” said Bunsic. “I didn’t pitch for the next two games, and two weeks later when districts started I decided I had to find a way to play through it because my team needed me in the circle.”

Her pitching helped the Lady Trojans cruise through the District Tournament and secure the title, advancing them to regionals.

In the first round of regionals, West was matched up against Dobyns-Bennet, the team that knocked them out of the tournament Bunsic’s freshman year.

When Bunsic reflects on the season, her favorite memories aren’t of individual accolades or performances, they’re of the sweet taste of revenge she got to share with her teammates.

“My favorite game from this season was definitely when we played Dobyns-Bennet in the first round of regionals. They knocked us out my freshman year and we were all determined to advance this year.”

And they did just that.

Bunsic helped lead the Lady Trojans to an overall record of 22-12, finishing 6-0 in district play, winning the District Tournament, and coming one out away from making it to state.

“This season was special because of how we all grew as a team,” said Bunsic. “We aren’t just teammates, we’re best friends and our trust in each other is what brought us so close to state.”

Bunsic isn’t resting on her laurels after her prolific season, however. She sees room to improve for both her and her team entering next year. Last season, they were knocked out in the first round of regionals. This year, they came within one out of making it to the state tournament. Next year she doesn’t want to leave any doubt.

“To prepare for next season I’m continuing my strength and conditioning and increasing my velocity, accuracy and spin rate. I’m also continuing to progress my hitting,” Bunsic said.