OnFocus Marathon Red Raiders Softball Season Preview

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David Keech
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OnFocus Marathon Red Raiders Softball Season Preview

  • Coaching staff:

This is my 5th season as head coach.  My assistants are: Andy Martin who has been around 25 years, Bailey Seubert who was a 4-year starter here, and has coached for 8 years now.  Chuck Baldeshwiler and Amber Oelhafen both joined us last year and are back this year.

  • Key returners this season:
We lost 6 senior starters to graduation last year.  The starters returning are our lone senior Kali Prihoda.  She will spend a lot of time on the mound this year.  If not there she will be in Center field.  Bridget Salber is a junior who has started since day one of her freshman year.  She will catch and play infield.  Junior Lauren Karlen returns as a starter, and will play infield and some outfield.  Finally Junior Ella Altfillish was a DP/OF starter last year, and she will be an outfield starter this year.
 
  • Strengths of your team:
One of our team strengths would be speed.  We have a lot of girls that can move.  We have some decent power as well.  We will figure out our other strengths of this youthful team as we move throughout the season.
  • Conference outlook:
Our conference is by far the best conference of small schools in the State, Bar NONE!
Assumption lost nobody from their D-5 State champioship team featuring the state player of the year.
Edgar lost very little and went to D-5 State.
Auburndale brings back almost everyone from thier team.  We beat them by 2 in the regional final last year, where 18 more inches on 1 fly ball for them wins it.
Newman went to sectionals last year and lost to Edgar and brings almost everyone back.
Stratford brings a lot back, and they are back to D-4, after a few years at D-3.
We lost 6 starters, but I think we will make some noise in the conference as well.
All the teams have quality veteran coaching staffs that keep me on my toes at all times.

 

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David Keech
Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]

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