Chatfield Gophers > Head Coach: Jerry Chase (new). 2018 finishes: 15-2 in TRC (4th straight West title), 19-4 overall (1AA East Runner-Up, lost to Lourdes in Section 1AA “Final Three” game). Key Returnees: Lexi Chase (Jr. P/OF, 1st Team Class AA All-State, 3-time All-TRC), Belle Berg (Sr. SS, 2nd Team All-State, 3-time All-TRC), Carlie Berge (Jr. P/1B, All-TRC), McKenna Daniels (Jr. 3B), Kim Greiner (Jr. OF), Teagan Allen (Jr. OF), Alanna Goetzinger (Sr. 1B), Abby Nosbisch (Jr. C), Peyton Berg (Fr. C/3B), Katie Ihrke (Jr. 2B). Synopsis: It will be go-round number five (the last) for Chatfield’s splendid duo of Belle Berg and Lexi Chase. Chase is a fifth-year junior starter (14-2, 185 K’s, .287 ERA pitcher; .400, 2 HRs, 18 RBI batting last year). Berg is a fifth-year senior starter (hit near .500, 8 HRs, 32 RBI, 33 R). Berge, Daniels, Allen, and Greiner are third-year starters. New coach Chase (Lexi’s dad) lost just two players off last year’s strong squad (All-TRC picks Britney Fretland, Shelby Isensee). The Gophers are again a TRC and 1AA front-runner, but must find a way against the Section’s other heavyweights (Cotter, Z-M, Lourdes).
Mabel-Canton > Head Coach: Kati Bergey. 2018 finishes: 6-3 in the SEC, 15-8 overall (lost to W-K in 1A East Runner-Up game). Key Returnees: Maddison Michels (Sr. C, two-time All-SEC), Kenidi McCabe (So. SS, All-SEC), Lexi Thorson (Sr. 2B, All-SEC HM), Hannah Snell (Sr. 3B), Payton Danielson (Jr. OF), Jordyn Newgard (So. OF), Lauren Wyffels (So. OF), Emily Carolan (Fr. P). Synopsis: Cougars lost just one starter off their second straight strong campaign (1A East Champs in 2017). Seniors Michels (.414, 3 HRs, 3 3Bs, 10 2Bs, 21 RBI), Thorson (.375, 3 HRs, 6 3Bs, 6 2Bs, 25 RBI, 26 R), and Snell (4 HRs, 31 R) have helped author a Cougar softball renaissance, which looks to continue. McCabe (.481, 4 HRs, 7 2Bs, 24 RBI, 20 R) also stands out. With Danielson (24 R), M-C’s 1-5 hitters return. The Cougars will have good speed and power, but will have to replace last year’s pitcher Harley McCabe (the only graduated starter). For once, M-C girls’ lack of height doesn’t hurt them in a sport!
GMLOK > Head Coach: John Fenske. 2018 finishes: 4-11 in TRC, 4-13 overall (lost to Z-M in 1AA West quarters). Key Returnees: Liz Jacobsen (Sr. C, All-TRC), Masie Voigt (Sr. 3B), Kylie Fenton-Musel (Sr. IF), Sydney Eickhoff (Sr. OF), Lily Hughes (So. P), Rylie Groom (So. OF). Synopsis: Coming off their two best years as a program, GMLOK dropped off in 2018. This year, they return their battery of third-year catcher Jacobsen and pitcher Hughes. Voigt, the two-hole hitter, is the only top-five-of-the-order batter to return. Bulldogs move from TRC to SEC (interesting given they are composed of a TRC school and two SEC schools).
Houston > Head Coach: Melanie Schultz. 2018 finishes: 6-4 in SEC, 8-13 overall (lost to M-C in 1A East loser-out game). Key Returnees: Alyssa Rostad (Sr. C, All-SEC HM), Gretchen Hill (Sr. 2B/SS), Richelle Botcher (So. P), Becca Rostad (So., OF), Tessa Peterson (Jr. 3B), Beverlee Hahn (So. OF), Jeana Hahn (Jr. IF). Synopsis: Hurricanes graduated multi-year starters, All-SEC picks Becca Lee (SS) and Amber Chapel (OF). Last year’s other seven starters return including top of the order hitters A-Rostad, Hill, B-Rostad, and Peterson. Fifth-year player A-Rostad and third-year pitcher Botcher return to form Houston’s battery.
Fillmore Central/Lanesboro > Head Coach: John O’Connor (new). 2018 finishes: 4-11 in TRC, 4-15 overall. Key Returnees: Sierra Rustad (Sr. OF), Daysha Erickson (Sr. IF), K.J. Corson (So. IF), Krista Jorgenson (Jr. P/IF), Kelsey Biel (Jr. C), Haley Joerg (So. OF). Synopsis: Coach O’Connor, a multi-sport assistant for Falcons, takes over for Tris Tollefson (who takes an assistant spot). Tollefson had ruled the FCL softball roost every other year of the Journal Sports. Falcons lost their only All-TRC pick, pitcher Makaila Eickhoff. Corson (lead-off), Rustad (fourth), and Erickson (fifth) hit in the top of the order. Jorgenson and Adeline Peters (So. P) have pitching experience.
Rushford-Peterson > Head Coach: Jeremy Tesch. 2018 finishes: 0-14 in TRC, 2-16 overall. Key Returnees: Megan Oian (Sr. C), Peyton Hoiness (Sr. P), Julissa Trejo (Sr. 3B), Ellie Dahl (Jr. SS), Karissa Eide (So., 1B), Jasmine Schueler (Sr. CF), Jimmi Ritter (Jr., 2B), Avalon Jacobson (Jr., DH). Synopsis: It has been a tough few years for Trojan softball. They start the year with new fields, in Rushford versus Peterson. They have plenty of experience with eight returning starters. Catcher Oian, pitcher Hoiness, shortstop Dahl, lead-off Eide, and Schueler are third-year full-timers, last year’s 1-5 hitters. The Trojans scored just 43 runs, though over 18 games last year.
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