OnFocus Wausau West Warriors Softball Season Preview
- Key returners this season:
We have one return senior, Izzy Gullickson who showcases control, maturity and confidence. I believe she will hold these girls together and keep them accountable this season. Excited to see her lead from third base and she will likely retain her lead off spot in the batting order.
We have two juniors returning. Autumn Hughes who will return as a starting outfielder and brings versatility at the plate as a slapper with top speed. She will also continue to pitch as needed for her team. Allison Kirsch unfortunately tore her ACL last year after growing exponentially on the mound so will be missed terribly. We work again with brand new pitchers at the Varsity level and look to her to help guide them as a fellow pitcher and team mate.
Amongst our Sophomore returners are some of our biggest bats, Claire Calmes returning at short stop, Caitlyn Krantz taking her main place behind the plate and Taylor Liebelt, who is the perfect definition of a utility player that we are excited to have in the field this year after an injury kept her out last season. Sadie Peissig will be a great addition to the starting lineup in the box and as strong first baseman. Other return lettering players Baylen Hulstrom and Molly Muschinske are utility team players who will get their opportunities on the field and in the box to showcase their strengths.
- Strengths of your team:
We have a great group of committed girls who love Fastpitch Softball! We are young, with our Varsity roster of 15 mainly being sophomores which is extremely encouraging for years ahead. We are growing defensively and that will hopefully help our incoming pitchers Ella Wendling and Rachel Harder have confidence on the mound. We have speed and some big bats and with that we will be looking at a much stronger offensive season too! Every girl on the Varsity roster brings something to the team and that’s really exciting!
On top of all that, our JV team this year is full of freshman who love this game, work hard and have so much talent!
- Conference outlook:
We have a tough conference and that’s been the case in softball for years. Although we are still young, each year we keep progressing and are looking forward to doing the same again this year. It is an unfortunate set back to lose your pitcher who you put so much time into the year before but we are resilient and will prove that through the season as we continue to gain success facing good opponents. Our girls are working hard and with commitment and great attitudes as team players. . .the sky is the limit!
- Coaching staff:
Jaime Hughes – Varsity Head Coach
Cassie Oelke – Varsity Assistant Coach
Rachael Boda – Program Pitching Coach
Claire Heindel – JV Head Coach
Skylar Witz – JV Assistant Coach
Matt Mayer – Volunteer Program Battling Coach
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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]
