Arbor View trio triple trouble for opponents

The top half of the lineup card for Arbor View’s softball team gets a bit repetitive.

And Aggies coach Maria Yoder wouldn’t have it any other way.

Before each game, Yoder writes down the last name Henricksen three times, usually among the first five spots in the batting order.

It’s not a mistake, not even a trick. It’s more like a recurring nightmare for opposing coaches.

Triplets Breanne, Brittany and Bryce Henricksen are starting their third season on the Aggies’ varsity. The juniors have played on the same team since starting softball at age 4 and will make history in a couple of years when they will play for the same college team.

For now, they’re wreaking havoc on softball teams in Southern Nevada.

“I don’t know where we would be without them,” Yoder said. “They’re one-third of the starting lineup. It’s neat. It’s an experience, and I didn’t see it happening as fast as it did, but they work hard. Their work ethic is amazing. They definitely deserve everything that they’ve gotten.”

Brittany is the team’s center fielder. Bryce is a middle infielder, and Breanne pitches and plays outfield.

“It really feels unique,” Brittany said. “You usually only find twins on the same team. You always know there’s someone else on the team you can count on.”

They’re not just role players. All three shine and were among the Aggies’ offensive leaders last year.

Bryce hit .414 with 22 RBIs. Brittany hit .406 with 16 RBIs and a team best three triples. Breanne had a .369 average and 11 RBIs and went 7-2 with three saves and a 2.30 ERA in 67 innings.

“When I’m pitching, I know they have my back,” Breanne said.

But it doesn’t stop the three from having their own internal competition to determine who is the best. When asked who is the best player, all three raise their hand.

“They’re definitely competitive, whether they admit it or not,” Yoder said. “It may not be vocalized, but it’s all the time. When they’re hitting, I’ll hear them bickering sometimes about who is hitting well and who isn’t, and if one hits another into a force out, you’ll hear them talk about it.”

The competition will go on for a while.

The three already have committed to play college softball at Black Hills State, an NCAA Division II school in Spearfish, S.D.

“They wanted all three of us,” Breanne said. “We visited there, and they pulled us into the room separately and offered to us individually.”

No records were available to determine how many sets of triplets have played for the same college team. The University of Georgia has triplets on its men’s swimming team, and North Alabama has signed triplets to play on its women’s basketball team next year.

Triplets Stephanie, Lauren and Allison Boden played softball for Pomona-Pitzer (Calif.) from 2011-2014, and triplets Jennifer, Heather and Kim Bourdon played for Presentation (S.D.) in the mid-2000s. Pomona-Pitzer is a Division III school. Presentation is an NAIA school.

“I picked (Black Hills) because it’s a really rare chance for us, and I really like the area,” Bryce said. “I didn’t think it would happen. I didn’t think a college would look for all three spots.”

For now, they’re focused on helping the Aggies try to win their first Sunset Region title and earn a trip to the state tournament.

The Henricksens are among eight returning starters this season.

“It’s a unique situation,” Yoder said. “It really is an amazing thing. They’re in three key positions, and they lead by example on the field. They play how they practice, and they come to play.”

Contact reporter Bartt Davis at bdavis@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5230.