Bedford resident Laney Mead was labeled “RBI Queen” this spring in her rookie season as a sophomore for the varsity softball team at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham. The Nobles Bulldogs play in the ISL (Independent School League).
The 16-year-old shortstop was also tagged as an ISL All-League and All-NEPSAC (New England Preparatory School Athletic Council) Honorable Mention for her epic performance as a student athlete on the Nobles’ diamond during the 2023 season.
Nobles Varsity Softball Coach Kelly Chung said, “Laney was a great addition to the Nobles softball team this spring. I knew she was a talented softball player coming into the season, but could not have predicted how impactful her presence would be. Not only was she a formidable shortstop for us, but Laney was exceptionally consistent in the batter’s box this year.”
Softball and baseball fans know that there are many ways – positive and negative – a player can be consistent in a batter’s box. Mead’s category of consistency this season was dominance.
In ISL League games (Nobles played nine ISL opponents this season), Mead achieved 22 hits in 27 at bats, which works out to a remarkable .815 league batting average. Across the entire 19-game season, Mead earned 36 hits in 56 at-bats for a .642 overall season batting average.
Chung said that Mead “is a power hitter who has the ability to rip triples and home runs, but she was also able to string together the base hits when we needed it most.”
The stats back up the coach’s report with RBI and run totals matched at 33 along with 9 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 home runs. The Nobles middle infielder, wearing number 20, has wheels, too, with 12 stolen bases this season.
Mead was surprised by her individual success, saying the focus was always about the team working together and succeeding as a team unit. (Nobles softball finished 13-2-0 in the regular season, second in the ISL.) “I don’t think I would have had the season I did on another team. This group of girls was one of a kind and made me a better player.”
Mead has lived in Bedford for her entire life and attended Bedford Public Schools until this past fall when she transferred to Noble and Greenough, where she also plays hockey.
Mead’s parents, Steve and Tami Mead, are very proud of their daughter, saying she put in a lot of work this year to make the transition between schools. Tami Mead said that Laney “is extremely lucky to have such good friends in Bedford who have supported her through this big change and show up to cheer her on.”
Fans should get another opportunity to see the former Buccaneer play at Noble and Greenough School next spring. Mead said that most of the players and coaches are returning to the softball team.
“It is a great group of girls and coaches. I can’t wait for next season,” said Mead.
Coach Chung is looking even further ahead, past next season with a “[Laney] added a lot to our team this spring both on and off the field, and we are really looking forward to having Laney with us for two more years!”
Loading ...
