Meet Josie Theilen, a rising star on the Ames softball team

Josie Theilen knew she had to make a change before the 2024 softball season.

The Ames High junior was coming off a shaky sophomore season where she hit just .213 and battled injuries that limited her time on the mound.

During the offseason, Theilen made it a point to work with his father Jamie every day. She also added more to her pitching repertoire and worked on her fielding skills in the field.

The results of this dedication have been exceptional to say the least so far.

Through Tuesday’s home doubleheader with Marshalltown, a 4-1, 12-2 sweep of Ames, Theilen is hitting .567 with four doubles, two triples, two home runs, 13 runs and 21 RBIs.

“Last year I was very shy,” Theilen said. “I hit 9^th and wouldn’t make many good shots. This year I’m going out and going at the first strike I see.

Theilen moved up to third place in the batting order. This decision obviously paid off.

“She did really well,” Ames coach Meghan Von Behren said. “She wasn’t happy with the hits last year, so she came here ready to get on base and get a lot of hits. She did a very good job.

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Thanks to Marshalltown’s doubleheader, Theilen led all of Class 5A in RBIs. One of the main reasons for this is the addition of Jaya, Theilen’s younger sister.

Jaya, an eighth-grader, is hitting .438 with three doubles, two triples, 17 runs and seven RBIs batting from second just ahead of her big sister.

“It’s been fun to see Jaya and Josie at the top of the lineup,” Von Behren said. “I think Josie feeds when Jaya gets on base and moves her around. They have a lot of fun together that way.

Jaya said both sisters could get upset at home from time to time. But on the softball field, they fully support each other.

She loves seeing her big sister step up and succeed.

“I think it’s awesome,” Jaya Theilen said. “It’s pretty cool to look up to a big sister.”

In turn, Theilen enjoys watching her little sister set the table for her and everyone else behind her in line.

“I trust him,” Theilen said. “I know she’s going to find a way to get on base, so I can find a way to get a hit and get it.”

Theilen joked that she had to perform at a high level to keep up with her little sister.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” Theilen said. “If she does good, I have to do better.”

Theilen’s talents go beyond his striking.

Last year, she went 11-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 89 2/3 innings on the mound. This year, she is 3-1 with a 1.73 ERA, 26 strikeouts and just seven walks in 28 1/3 innings.

She and fellow junior Sydney Smalley, who is 4-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 27 2/3 innings, give Ames a formidable pitching tandem.

“It’s a lot easier to throw knowing she’s going to come in and do as well or better,” Smalley said. “It’s great to change that.”

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Theilen relies heavily on his change. But both she and Smalley have been working on their dropballs this year.

“I think she’s gained a lot of precision in her spots,” Smalley said. “Hit his outside corners and inside spots.”

If Theilen can stay healthy, she may be on track to have a big year at the pitching position.

“I’m getting nervous,” Von Behren said. “We need some pitchers and last year she was injured. We just hope she can stay healthy all year round.

When she’s not throwing, Theilen plays one of the most important defensive positions on the field. She helped replace all-state legend and current Drake Bulldog Ellie Lynch at shortstop after playing primarily second base last season.

“It’s an important role,” Theilen said. “Ellie was great.”

In nine games, Theilen has made just two errors in 27 chances.

“I like pressure,” Theilen said. “I think it makes me play better.”

Ames finished the Marshalltown doubleheader with a 7-2 record. If Theilen can continue to play at a high level, Ames could end up at the state softball tournament for the first time.

“Josie is a great all-around ball player,” Von Behren said. “We need her on the ground.”

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Josie Theilen enjoys early success for Ames softball team.