Softball Preview/Team Capsules
The 2026 softball season starts with some section alignment changes. Notably, Rushford-Peterson and Fillmore Central/Lanesboro move up to the 17-team Section 1AA. Caledonia, Chatfield and GMLOK plus Cotter/Hope Lutheran, D-E, Goodhue, Lake City, La Crescent/Hokah, Pine Island, PEM, Red Wing, Rochester-Lourdes, St. Charles, Triton, and Z-M form the rest of the section. Last year’s champion, Randolph, is in Section 2AA. Section 1A is Houston, Mabel-Canton, and Spring Grove plus defending champ Faribault B.A., Hayfield, K-W, L-A, Lyle/Pacelli, NRHEG, Schaeffer Academy, Southland, W-K, and W-E-M.
Caledonia Warriors
Head Coach: Chad Augedahl
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Warriors had a second straight super-strong season. Team Cal went 12-3 in the TRC, taking second behind La Crescent/Hokah (13-2, 17-7) in the East. The Warriors then won five playoff games, only falling to Randolph 1-0, and 3-1. The latter came in the 1AA championship game, as Caledonia, for a second straight year, finished at 1AA runner-up, going 21-6 for the season. Their record the past two years is thus 45-10.
Seniors: none
Juniors: Vivian Kittleson (2B), Avery Augedahl (P/SS), Lauren Goetzinger (OF), Paizley Lange (3B), Lily Wiebke (SS), Elsa Blum (1B), Adrienne Lange (C), Brairy Proulx (OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Nora Staggemeyer (So. OF), Lily Augedahl (Fr. OF), Ashlyn Reinhart (Fr. OF).
Outlook: The Warriors had no juniors or seniors last year and still made the 1AA finals. The team returns entirely intact for another run, with two-time defending 1AA champion Randolph in a different section. The Warriors have four two-time returning All-TRC players to head the cast in Avery Augedahl (Jr. P/SS), Elsa Blum (Jr. 1B), Adrienne Lange (Jr. C), and Paizley Lange (Jr. 3B). Augedahl returns as one of the state’s top AA pitchers (162 IP, 84 H, 39 R, 19 ER, 28 BB, 262 K, .821 ERA, .144 batting average against, 21-6 record), one of the state’s top two-way AA players (.419 average, six 2Bs, three 3Bs, HRs, 37 RBI, 31 R, .767 slugging). Augedahl was Class AA All-State last season, leading the Warriors in home runs, RBIs, runs scored, and slugging. P-Lange carried the team’s best batting average last year (.488 average, .517 on-base percentage, four 2Bs, three HRs, 20 RBI, 26 R). A-Lange was second on the team in hitting (.472 average, 13 RBI, 27 R, team-high 28 SBs) though she missed time due to injury. Blum is another good bat (.443 average, nine 2Bs, two 3Bs, three HRs, 25 RBI, 23 R) with 15 extra base hits, tying Augedahl for the team lead. Lily Wiebke (Jr. SS > .383 average, eight 2Bs, 18 RBI, 20 R), Ashlyn Reinhart (Fr. OF > .400 average, 12 R), Brairy Proulx (Jr. DH > .299 average, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 23 R), Nora Staggemeyer (So. OF > .344 average, 13 RBI, 20 R), Vivian Kittleson (Jr. 2B > .247 average, 12 RBI, 10 R), and Lily Augedahl (Fr. OF > .409 average, five 2B, 12 RBI, 16 R) are other returning key players. The team returns a whopping 47 doubles, 12 triples, and 18 home runs, as they scored eight runs per game. Expectations are high with all the past success and continuity.
Chatfield Gophers
Head Coach: Brent Berge
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Gophers had another good season, going 10-4 in the TRC and 19-6 overall. That run included winning a trio of playoff games (their first three) to make Austin without a defeat. But the Gophers then fell to Randolph 6-0 and Caledonia 5-2 back-to-back to finish in third place in the section.
Seniors: Grace Finley (1B), Brynn Horsman (3B), Olivia Karver (OF), Kylie Sinn, Destiny Schlichter
Juniors: Rilee Urban (P), Makenna Dornack (C/IF), Jorja Fishbaugher.
Key Returning Underclassmen: Kendyl Nolte (Fr. OF), Caijel Berge (Fr. P), Maddyson Proper (So. SS).
Outlook: The Gophers were again a factor in the TRC-West and Section 1AA last year. Three senior starters, Brittin Ruskell (2B), Katryn Johnson (P/OF), Kendall Knutson (OF) graduated. But the Gophers had five All-TRC picks in Makenna Dornack (Jr. C/SS), Rilee Urban (Jr. P), Brynn Horsman (Sr. 3B), Kendyl Nolte (Fr. OF), and Grace Finley (Sr. 1B). All five return, save Finley (injury), to make Chatfield potent. Dornack and Urban are each two-time All-TRC picks. Fourth year player Dornack led the team in about everything including home runs, RBIs, runs, and stolen bases (.476 average, .563 on-base, .866 slugging, five 2Bs, six 3Bs, five HRs, 37 RBI, 31 R, 11 stolen bases). She hit a team second-best and made Class AA All-State 2nd team a second straight year. Urban went 8-2 on the mound with a 2.54 ERA (63 1/3 IP, 66 H, 35 R, 23 ER, 82 K, 16 BB) while also having a good bat (.405 average, HR, 8 RBI in just 15 games). Nolte led the team in hitting as just an 8th grader (.486 average, six 2Bs, 31 RBI, 17 R) while finishing second in runs batted in. She was Class AA All-State honorable mention. Horsman (.375 average, four 2Bs, HR, 13 RBI, 27 R) also did solid work. The loss of Finley (.352 average, three 2B, two 3B, three HR, 21 RBI, 24 R) is not ideal. From there, Olivia Karver (Sr. OF >.455 average, six 2B, 12 RBI, 15 R), Maddyson Proper (So. SS > .292 average, 8 RBI, 10 R), and Kylie Sinn (Sr. OF) also return after playing in most of the games. Caijel Berge also got some action as Chatfield’s third pitcher (Fr. P > 23 IP, 29 H, 23 R, 11 ER, 9 BB, 15 K, 3-0 record). Coach Berge’s group includes eight combined juniors and seniors plus nine combined 8th graders, freshman, and sophomores. Chatfield returns 11 of 13 home runs from last year and their top pitcher and they again are a West-division and Section 1AA team to watch.
Houston Hurricanes
Head Coach: Josh Swenson
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Hurricanes had their best year in decades, going 12-2 in the SEC to share the league crown with Southland (who Houston beat thrice overall). The Hurricanes then went 4-2 in the playoffs. They made Austin for the first time since 2013, falling twice to section champ Faribault B.A. by 2-1 and 6-3 totals. Houston finished as 1A runner-up, with a 21-5 record. It was their first 20-win season since 2004.
Seniors: Olvia Yohe (3B), Averie Evanson, Danica Stampka.
Juniors: Rylee Boldt (2B), Aspen Peterson (OF/DH), Julia Swenson (OF), Trinity Lisota, Chloe McQuinn, Hailey Stark.
Key Returning Underclassmen: Caidence Frauenkron (Fr. 1B), Claire Frauenkron (Fr. P/OF), Kylie Stinson (Fr. SS), Kayla Klunder (Fr. OF).
Outlook: Houston had a huge season last year and this season looks to be no different. Coach Swenson was the 1A Coach of the Year and the Hurricanes had six All-SEC picks in Emily Botcher (P), Julia Swenson (CF), Kylie Stinson (SS), Rylee Boldt (2B), Claire Frauenkron (LF/P), and Caidence Frauenkron (1B). Only main pitcher Botcher graduated (133 2/3 IP, 20-5 record, 110 H, 79 R, 48 ER, 173 K, 55 BB; .257 average, 23 RBI). With 300 career strikeouts, she is Houston’s biggest hole to fill. But the Frauenkron twins are each very good young bats. Caidence (Fr. 1B) led the team in hitting (.597 average, 15 2Bs, five 3Bs, two HR, 37 RBI, 33 R) while Claire (Fr. OF/P) was right behind (.570 average, 16 2Bs, three 3Bs, two HRs, 36 RBI, 38 R). Rylee Boldt (Jr. 2B) hit a team-third best while leading the team in runs scored (.565 average, 11 2B, four 3Bs, two HRs, 29 RBI, 50 R). Kylie Stinson (Fr. SS > .485 average, 17 2Bs, three 3Bs, two HRs, 43 RBI, 39 R) led the team in RBIs while Julia Swenson (Jr. OF > .516 average, 16 2Bs, four 3Bs, two HRs, 39 RBI, 47 R) was another good bat. Though young, all are very experienced. Swenson and Claire F. were 2nd Team Class All-State, Boldt Class A All-State honorable mention. From there, Aspen Peterson (Jr. OF/DH) > .407 average, 11 2Bs, three 3Bs, HR, 37 RBI, 27 R) made All-SEC HM while Olivia Yohe (Sr. 2B > .356 average, five 2B, four 3B, 11 RBI, 25 R) is another key returning starter. The Hurricanes return their top seven hitters by average. Kayla Klunder (Fr. OF), Hailey Stark (Jr.), and Emily Baumann (Fr. > 29 SB, 23 R) are three others to see action in double-digit games, the latter two pinch-running. The Hurricanes will start with a new battery, as not only did Botcher graduate, but so did catcher Caitlin Brand. They were the only two senior starters last year. Claire F. (13 1/3 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 19 K) was the only other pitcher to accrue innings aside from Botcher. She has pitched Houston’s first two games this year (both wins). But all the other pieces are there for Houston to be an SEC and Section 1A contender. They have stated the season already with wins over strong AA teams from last year Cotter 5-4 and La Crescent/Hokah 8-0.
Mabel-Canton Cougars
Head Coach: Kati Bergey
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Cougars went 10-4 in the SEC and 14-6 overall in the regular season, won a playoff game, but then dropped contests to Wabasha-Kellogg 6-3 and Hayfield 10-2. The Cougars finished at 15-7.
Seniors: Tylar Wenthold (P), Isabella Torgerson (OF/2B)
Juniors: Ella Halverson (utility/OF),
Key Returning Underclassmen: Lauren Burke (So. Utility, Hailee Eiken (Fr. C)
Outlook: The Cougars rode stand-out pitcher Tylar Wenthold to a solid season last year. She was one of three All-SEC picks a year ago, but the other two, Kira Snyder (C > team-best .404 average, seven 2B, 8 RBI, 14 R) and Hope Erickson (3B > .324 average, 18 RBI, 19 R) graduated. All told, M-C graduated five starters off last year’s group also including All-SEC HM pick Kailey Ingvalson (SS). Wenthold, a three-time All-SEC pick who also made 2nd Team Class A All-State last year, is their top returnee (140 IP, 15-8 record, 91 H, 74 R, 45 ER, 251 K, 44 BB, 2.25 ERA; three 2B, three 3B, 11 RBI). A lot of M-C’s success will again lay on her pitching (and the growth of younger players). Wenthold has over 500 career strikeouts. But he is one of five combined seniors, juniors, and sophomores with experienced returnees Isabella Torgerson (Sr. OF/2B > .230 average, 15 RBI, 14 R), Ella Halverson (Jr. utility > .342 average, two 2B, three 3B, 15 R) and Lauren Burke (So. Utility) three of the other four. Hailee Eiken (.250 average, three 2B, three 3B, 12 RBI, 17 R) is a fourth returning starter while Whitney Williams (Fr. P) also saw action in at least 20 games last year. M-C is very young with 10 girls grades eight and nine.
GMLOK Bulldogs
Head Coach: Mark Eickhoff
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Bulldogs went a solid 9-5 in the SEC, and 11-8 in the regular season, but lost their opening round 1AA game at Caledonia 12-0 to finish the year 11-9.
Seniors: Hailee Warren (1B/OF), Macy Runck (OF), Jaelee Hagstrom (3B), Keyawin Stier.
Juniors: Mabel Johnson (OF), Jessie Meyer (2B), Kimberly Volkart.
Key Returning Underclassmen: Mollie Voigt (So. SS), Paisley Schlee (So. C).
Outlook: The Bulldogs were just above five hundred last year with senior All-SEC pitcher Aspen Kolling throwing (118 IP, 11-9 record, 48 BBs, 160 K, 3.36 ERA; .500 average, four 2B, four 3B). Kolling was thrice All-SEC, striking out almost 400 career batters. Losing her as pitcher is notable, as is the departure of catcher Cheyenne Bakken (.255 average), a would-be senior. After making All-SEC HM last year, she is not out for softball this year. That leaves Hailee Warren (Sr. 1B/OF > .433 average, four 2B, three 3B, HR) as the Bulldogs sole returning honored player, as she was All-SEC last season. Mollie Voigt (So. SS) is another top returning hitter and the returning starter at shortstop. Macy Runck (Sr. OF), Paisley Schlee (So. C/OF), Jaelee Hagstrom (Sr. 3B), and Mabel Johnson (Jr. OF) are other returning starters slash key players. The Bulldogs have some pieces back, but GMLOK will start the year with a completely new battery with Kolling and Bakken have done so three years running. The Bulldogs’ opener saw 7th grader Zoey Chase throw to Schlee. Coach Eickhoff does have 11 girls grades 10 thru 12.
Rushford-Peterson Trojans
Head Coach: Holly Ekern
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Trojans went 2-13 in the TRC and 3-17 in the regular season, then fell to Lewiston-Altura in the 1A Round of 16 by 15-5 final. R-P finished at 3-18.
Seniors: Torryn Schneider (IF/C), Shelby Tesch (P/OF), Lilly West (OF)
Juniors: Ariana Bettinger (C/IF), Brielle Schneider (IF/P), Destiny Corcoran (OF), Kaia Loney (IF/OF), Morgan Rye (IF/P), Chloe Sempere Molina (OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Alannah Skalet (So., OF/C), Stephanie Griffin (So. OF).
Outlook: The Trojans had tough year last season, giving up double digit runs in 14 games while only scoring double digits three times (their three wins). They had no All-TRC picks. Two of the most key returnees are Shelby Tesch (Sr.) at pitcher and Torryn Schneider (Sr.) at catcher. Tesch pitched most of R-P’s innings (82 1/3 IP) and was the team’s second leading hitter (.310 average, two 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 9 R). Schneider was the top hitter (Sr. > .345 average, seven 2B, two 3B, 8 RBI, 15 R) and led the team in runs scored. A senior battery should help R-P improve upon its win total. Ariana Bettinger (Jr. C/IF > 6 RBI), Brielle Schneider (Jr. IF/P), and Alannah Skalet (So. OF > .244 average, 10 R) are other full-time returnees while Stephanie Griffin (So. OF), Lily West (Sr. OF), Morgan Rye (Jr. P/IF), and Destiny Corcoran (Jr. OF) also saw action. R-P graduated just two senior starters in Lindsey Hoiness (P/1B) and Delaney Vaughn (two of the team’s top RBI-gals a year ago though), so returning a lot of pieces should also help improve the win total.
Spring Grove Lions
Head Coaches: Kelsey Morken and Taylor Elton
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Lions went 7-7 in the SEC for second straight third-place finish and 8-11 overall, falling to Mabel-Canton in 1A Round of 16, 9-4.
Seniors: none
Juniors: Jada Strinmoen (SS), Izabel Kaufmann (C), Brinley Middendorf (3B/P)
Key Returning Underclassmen: Claire Sherburne (8th grade P).
Outlook: There is an experienced battery and left side of the infield, but there are no seniors, no sophomores, leaving six very young, inexperienced candidates for five vacancies: two freshmen, two eighth graders, two seventh graders. Jada Strinmoen, already two-time All-SEC (Jr. SS > .254 average), led Lions with 8 stolen bases. Claire Sherburne (8th grader P), the 2025 MVP, led SG in both RBI (17) and extra-base hits (HR, six 2B) with the second-best batting average (.304). As the starting pitcher last year as a seventh grader, Sherburne had a 6.76 ERA. Izabel Kaufmann (Jr. C > .231 average) led SG in runs scored (18) and had second-best on-base percentage (.397) and second-most stolen bases (7).
Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons
Head Coach: Kelsey Biel
Where We Left Off in 2025: The Falcons went 0-15 in the TRC and 1-20 overall, losing to Southland in the 1A Round of 16 by 16-1 final.
Seniors: Jensyn Storhoff (P/SS), Hailey Erickson (IF), Lydia Lecy (OF), Sarah Schriever (IF/OF),
Juniors: Josie Corson (IF/P/C), Emma Root (IF), Wiktoria Bzowy (OF), Lina Massucco (OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Caylee Gulbranson (So. IF/P), Gwen Lieb (So. C).
Outlook: The Falcons won just one game a year ago. They did get an All-TRC pick in strong overall athlete Jensyn Storhoff (over .400 average, team leader in runs scored). Storhoff also threw most of the Falcons’ innings. Hailey Erickson (Sr. IF > above .250 average) was their second-best hitter while Josie Corson (Jr. IF/P) was their second most used pitcher. Caylee Gulbranson (So. IF/P) is another returning starter while Gwen Lieb (So. C) and Sarah Schriever (Sr. IF/OF) are also experienced. But the Falcons struggled to hit with only Storhoff topping .300. They gave up double-digit runs in 14 games a year ago while scoring in double digits just once (their only win). FC/L has eight combined juniors and seniors (two foreign exchange students). Ten combined 8th graders through sophomores fill out the roster. Biel takes over as coach. She is just a few years removed from being a Falcon herself (2020 grad).
Softball: Hurricanes Start Season With Two Good AA Wins
Houston softball made the Section 1A finals last year. Returning a plethora of those same girls, the Hurricanes started this season with two very nice wins versus Class AA foes. At Winona, Houston beat perennial 1AA contender Winona-Cotter 5-4. Claire Frauenkron got the win striking out 10 (7 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB). She also was 1-for-4 with a double and 2 RBI. Sister Caidence Frauenkron (2-3, RBI) and Kylie Stinson (2-3, 2B, RBI) each had two hits. All three are freshmen. Olivia Yohe (1-2, R) and Julia Swenson (1-4, 2B, R) also contributed to the cause. The Ramblers (14-11) were a 1AA Final Four team a year ago. All the games runs were scored in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, with Houston leading 2-1, 4-3, and 5-4 after the bottom of each inning. The Hurricanes then beat last year’s TRC-East champion La Crescent/Hokah by 8-0 final, scoring all but one run in the first three innings. Claire F. (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K; 1-2, R) again got the win. Sister Caidence was 3-for-4 with a double and 5 RBI. Kayla Klunder (2-3, 2 R), Stinson (1-2, 2B, RBI, R), Rylee Boldt (1-4, RBI, 2 R), and Swenson (1-4, RBI) helped. The Lancers finished last year at 17-7. Houston is thus 2-0 to start the year.
Non-Conference Softball (3/26)
GMLOK 12, Blooming Prairie 21 [4] (GMLOK: Mabel Johnson 2-3, 2 RBI, R; Macy Runck 2-4, 2 R; Hailee Warren 1-2, RBI, 2 R; Gabby Glocke 1-2, R; Mollie Voigt 1-3, R. The game featured 25 combined walks, and was ended early per cold temperatures)
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