GMLOK Bulldogs

Head Coach: Mark Eickhoff 

Where We Left Off in 2023: With just one senior, the Bulldogs went 7-5 in the SEC and 8-14 overall. They fell to Zumbrota-Mazeppa 11-1 in a 1AA West quarterfinal. 

Seniors: Lucie Voigt (SS). 

Juniors: Aspen Kolling (P), Candace Hanson (1B). 

Key Returning Underclassmen: Cheyenne Bakken (So. C), Hailee Warren (So. LF). Macy Runck (So. CF), Jaelee Hagstrom (So. 3B), Emma Howard (So. 2B). 

Outlook: The Bulldogs did not have a senior to see critical action last year, so the team returns mostly intact. They are still young. GMLOK returns its two All-SEC picks in top-hitter Lucie Voigt and pitcher Aspen Kolling. Voigt is in her fourth year on varsity and she had a massive season last year with double-digit extra base hits and 20-plus RBI while hitting better than .500. Kolling did most of the Bulldogs’ work on the mound. Adding to the continuity is All-SEC HM pick, catcher Cheyenne Bakken. The trio give GMLOK a sound catcher-pitcher-shortstop trio. Hailee Warren, Macy Runck, and Jaelee Hagstrom are three other returning regulars. The Bulldogs return six key hitters from last year. Emma Howard and Candace Hanson also logged double-digit plate appearances. Two years removed from an SEC title, GMLOK will look to improve upon last year’s 8-13 season. 

Mabel-Canton Cougars

Head Coach: Kati Bergey 

Where We Left Off in 2023: The Cougars went 5-7 in SEC play, 7-12 overall. They fell 12-6 to Wabasha-Kellogg in a 1A East quarterfinal. 

Seniors: Yasmin Saden (OF). 

Juniors: Hope Erickson (utility), Kira Snyder (C/OF), Lainey Hosting (IF), Lydia Vatland (OF/1B), Kailey Ingvalson (SS). 

Key Returning Underclassmen: Ella Halverson (Fr. Utility), Tylar Wenthold (So. P), Izzy Torgerson (Fr. OF/2B). 

Outlook: The Cougars return vastly intact from last year when they had just two seniors and one junior. Main pitcher Tylar Wenthold was their sole All-SEC pick (.333 average, six 2B, 25 RBI) a year ago. Kira Snyder also returns after making All-SEC HM (.300 average, team-high 27 R). Lydia Vatland (.318 average, 14 R, 13 RBI), Ella Halverson (.333 average, 17 R), Lainey Hosting (17 R, 13 RBI), Kailey Ingvalson (18 R, 13 RBI), Hope Erickson (15 R), and Izzy Torgerson (.345 average, 9 R) also had a least 25 at bats. M-C was feast or famine offensively last year, scoring eight or more run nine times (7-2), but five or less runs nine times (0-9). Consistent pitching will be a key. Wenthold had 137 strikeouts but 138 walks in 92 1/3 innings as a frosh.