Coaches- Matt Ellenbecker (2nd year head), Ben Natzke (1st), Sierra Rauerkaus (1st), Jon Tomski (2nd).
Last season’s accomplishments- 6-6, 4th WVC; 19-7 overall, reg. champs.
Major losses- SS Kaylin Byer (unan. 1st GNC, 1st & 2nd WVC), P Kalie Schmeltzer (HM WVC), 1B Kelsey Messerschmidt, OF Hannah Ollhoff, P Megan Zuleger, OF Jessica Deering.
Key returnees- srs. CF Brianna LaMonica (2x 2nd WVC, .500 BA, .511 OBP), 2B Lindsay Krueger (2nd & HM WVC, .311 BA, .340 OBP), OF Casey Steffen (.300 OBP), UT Katie Travis; jrs. IF Reegan Byer (HM WVC, .465 BA, .531 OBP), C Leesha Kleinschmidt (.302 BA, .318 OBP).
Promising newcomers- P Makayla Heckendorf, OF Ashley Ollhoff, IF JoJo Catlin, OF Marcy Lentz, util. Brooke Arneson.
Ellenbecker quotable- “We have a lot of turnover on the roster-not necessarily a great number of starters, but we lost 6 seniors who all contributed in important ways to our success last year. There are battles for positions all over the field and we suspect there may be some bumps in the road as girls get used to playing varsity ball and settle in to new positions. Our expectations are to be great at the things that we can control: dedication, work ethic, positive attitude, team work, hustle, and effort both in practice and in games.
“One thing we need to improve on as a team is plate discipline. We want to and can be a team that drives the ball, but we have to make sure we are putting it in play consistently. Last year we lead the conference in strikeouts and were towards the bottom in walks. That tells us that we are swinging at bad pitches. We can be powerful hitters and swing at good pitches. That is definitely a focus in early practices.
Last year (and the year before from what I hear) our bats didn’t really come around until later in the season. We’re hoping that some more intense circuit work in practice will help us come out of the gate a bit more sharp this year with our bats. We have some big time hitters in our lineup, but we need some more production 1-9 to reach our offensive potential.
“SPASH and D.C. Everest look to be very tough. I think Wausau East will take a step up this season, as well.
“Brianna LaMonica was in the running for the batting title in the Valley until the very end of the year last season. She is a terrific hitter in the middle of our lineup and can drive the ball to both gaps for extra bases. As a returning captain she will be a leader for us, especially in the outfield where we have some battles going on for playing time.
Lindsay Krueger has also received All-Conference recognition the last two years. She has a pretty swing and packs some punch in her bat, as well, as she led the team in HR last season. Her work on the infield is very smooth and she is competing for our SS position this year after spending the last 2 seasons at second base. Due to depth concerns, she has been working on her pitching for us this spring, as well. She’s just a ball player. She is also a returning captain and provides leadership for our team.
“Reegan Byer burst on the scene at 3B for us last season and was second on the team in batting at the end of the year (.465). She is a hard worker and a great competitor. She is involved in our competition for the SS spot this season and we’d feel comfortable with her filling any position on the IF. She’s a selfless teammate, who served as our emergency catcher last season, as well. She wants to be a power hitter and has the ability, but we’re working on choosing better pitches, making better contact, and cutting down our strike outs, as well.
“Leesha Kleinschmidt did a great job for us as a first year varsity catcher last year, and I fully expect that she will make a big leap again this season. She is solid behind the plate and really came around with her bat last year, finishing the season hitting .301 with 2 doubles after a slow start to the year. I’d argue with anyone that catcher is the most important defensive player on your team, and we’ll need Leesha to really embrace that role as a leader and a communicator. She plays a lot of ball and you can tell that she really enjoys the game. That can become contagious.
Casey Steffen played a lot of ball for us out in right field. She wows you with her arm strength, but she’ll be the first to tell you that her defense and hitting didn’t match what she is capable of last year. She has goals to take big steps forward in both this year, and we look forward to that happening.
Katie Travis often served as our designated player last year, hitting for our pitcher’s spot. She didn’t have the success that she wanted in her first year on varsity, but she has shown in the past and in preseason practices that she can be a dangerous hitter. She has her eyes on our open first base position and has played RF for us, as well.
Macy Lentz is joining our varsity team for the first time this year. She is battling to get on the field in the outfield. She is very coachable and takes to teaching well, which are attributes that will help any competitor. Her offense is a work in progress, but she has shown herself to be very capable as a bunter, which is an asset that every coach loves to have.
JoJo Catlin will join the varsity full time this year and is battling for a starting spot on our infield. She is a solid defensive player with plenty of arm to play third base. JoJo is working to improve at the plate and has been very focused on doing that so far this year. Making consistent contact is important and we are seeing progress in the cage.
Makayla Heckendorf will be coming up to the varsity level and will be asked to assume the role of our #1 pitcher. She had a very successful year on JV last year, both as a pitcher and as a hitter. She really is a solid all-around ball player. She pitched a few varsity innings for us last year, including one inning in the playoffs, and that load will get much bigger this year. She is able to mix speeds and hit her spots for the most part, and that is key to being successful as a pitcher.”