JULIANA ‘GOOSE’ HUTCHENS

WAGONER HIGH SCHOOL

The 2023 fast pitch season is one that Juliana “Goose” Hutchens would just as soon forget because she didn’t get to play.

“I had ACL surgery last August, so I didn’t get to play at all last season. I helped out as I could and cheered the team on from the bench,” said the sophomore catcher for the Wagoner Bulldogs.

It’s a pretty safe bet that her absence from the lineup was a big reason the young Bulldogs didn’t quite make it to the state tournamentlast year, losing twice in the regionals to eventual state champion Newcastle. The power hitting Hutchens slammed 22 homeruns in her eighth-grade year and is considered one of the best power hitters in the nation.

“I wasn’t too frustrated having to sit out because it was kind of interesting to see the game from a different perspective,” said Hutchens. “Getting back on the field this year is great especially with teammates behind me who really supported me while I was out.”

Her dad and coach Johnny Hutchens got her started on the diamond and continues to be a big motivator in Goose’s life.

“I actually started out playing baseball until I was 12 and then switched over to softball and got into competitive travel ball. My dad is my main motivator because he grew up playing the game and understands it. I also followed (former OU catcher) Kenzie Hansen. I also looked up to the older girls on the teams where my dad coached.”

Dad/coach Hutchens is understandably proud of his daughter’s accomplishments along with those of her battery-mate Zoie Griffin.

“They’re both great kids and that’s what we really preach here-togetherness. These two are the ones that people talk about, but we’ve got 9-10 other girls who are just as important to our success.”

And the nickname Goose?

“One of first softball teams I was on had two Julianas, so I was called JuJu two which eventually became Goose,” laughed Hutchens.

Even though the Bulldogs are still young with just three seniors, look out Class 4A- the Goose is on the loose this year and that will spell trouble for everyone else.