Chatfield Gophers
Head Coach: Jerry Chase
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Gophers went 13-1 in TRC play, sharing the West division crown with St. Charles. Chatfield then won the 1AA-East title, fell to Cannon Falls in section play, but then won three straight including downing the Bombers 9-1 and 11-0 to claim the 1AA title. They then beat Mounds Park Academy, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton, and Proctor to claim the 1AA state title, Chatfield softball’s first ever crown.
Seniors: Kara Goetzinger (CF), Josie Koenigs (3B), Tatum Allen (LF), Claire Springer (P), Kayle Bernau (C), Marlee Musty (LF), Shea Jech (1B/RF).
Juniors: Kieran Schmaltz (P/2B), Braelee Horsman (C), Alexis Hinckley (1B/C/P).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Brittin Ruskell (So. SS).
Prognosis: The state champion Gophers lost a very good senior class headed by All-TRC picks catcher Peyton Berg (.433 average, 36 RBI, 4 HRs, 17 2B) and second base Sydney Allen (.294 average, five 2B, three HR, 27 RBI, 18 R), All-TRC HM girls Brynn Irish (3B > .354 average, seven 2Bs, 13 RBI, 19 R) and Jaiden Zimmerman (SS > .340 average, 17 RBI, 21 R) plus starter Devann Clemens (OF > .275 average, 11 RBI, 17 R). Berg was a three-time All-TRC pick and made 2nd team AA All-State last year. They do return three All-TRC picks including two-time selections Kara Goetzinger (OF > .339 average, five 2Bs, two 3Bs, three HRs, 33 R, 16 RBI) and Alexis Hinckley (utility > .322 average, seven 2Bs, two HRs, 26 RBI, 24 R) plus pitcher Claire Springer (26-2 record, .934 ERA, 189 K, 23 BB, .352 average, five 2Bs, HR, 26 RBI), who was All-State HM. Brittin Ruskell (SS > 12 RBI, 31 R), Josie Koenigs (3B > 20 R), Tatum Allen (LF), and Shea Jech (1B/RF) also return. Replacing Berg at catcher and Zimmerman shortstop will be keys, but one of the area’s best programs still has a handful of very key players heading into a new season.
Caledonia Warriors
Head Coach: Chad Augedahl
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Warriors went 9-6 in the TRC, 10-9 overall. They fell to Cotter in the 1AA-East quarterfinals by 4-0 score.
Seniors: Kimber Frank (OF), Paige Klug (SS), Jenna Mann (1B), Mackenzie Morey (C), Emily Ideker (3B).
Juniors: Annah Anderson (OF), Kennedy Hansen (2B), Braelyn Lange (P), Alexis West (OF).
Prognosis: The Warriors finished above five-hundred last season. They graduated two of three All-TRC picks in Brianna Stemper (2B/P > .368 average, eight 2Bs, three 3Bs, 8 RBI, 20 R) and Teagan Lange (P/3B > .357 average, four HRs, 16 RBI, 6 R, 5-5 record, 3.52 ERA, 61 K, 27 BBs) plus All-TRC HM selection Lydia Jennings (1B/3B > .340 average). All told, six relied-upon seniors graduated. T-Lange did most of the pitching. Emily Ideker (3B > .439 average, five 2Bs, HR, 13 RBI, 20 R) is their lone returning All-TRC pick, though All-TRC HM shortstop Paige Klug (.349 average, 10 2B, two 3B, 18 RBI, 14 R) also returns. Braelyn Lange (P), Annah Anderson (OF), and Mackenzie Morey (C) are three more key varsity returnees, so the Warriors have talent coming back. Caledonia is now alone in softball, as Spring Grove has split to play on their own (though returning Lions contributed for C/SG last season).
Rushford-Peterson Trojans
Head Coach: Holly Ekern
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Trojans went 2-13 in the TRC and 7-16 overall. They went 2-2 in post-season play, losing to Southland 10-7 in the 1A runner-up game.
Seniors: Sonja Rislove (IF).
Juniors: Ava Drazkowski (IF/P), Cassandra Boyum (OF/P), Rebecca Magin (IF/P), Ellie Ekern (C/IF), Madison Rhodes (IF/P).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Delaney Vaughn (So. IF/C), Lindsey Hoiness (So. IF/P).
Prognosis: Coming off a 2021 year where they went 0-15 in the TRC and 1-20 overall, R-P was competitive last year, posting seven wins including a couple in post-season play. The Trojans graduated three key seniors including their only All-TRC player, top hitter Aviana Anderson-Ingram (P/1B > .420 average, 13 RBI, 19 R), plus All-TRC HM pick, main pitcher Emarie Jacobson (109 2/3 IP). Catcher Ellie Ekern (.338 average, seven 2Bs, 3B, HR, 9 RBI, 22 R), an Honorable-Mention All-TRC pick, is their “honored” returning player. Cassandra Boyum (.474 average, nine 2Bs, 9 RBI, 16 R), Delaney Vaughn (.361 average, four 2B, two 3B, 23 RBI, 17 R), Rebecca Magin (.277 average, 6 R, 10 RBI), and Lindsey Hoiness (.246 average, three 2B, three 3B, 17 RBI, 14 R) give the Trojans a solid nucleus to grow. They have just one senior. Only 1 1/3 innings of varsity pitching experience from last year returns.
GMLOK Bulldogs
Head Coach: Mark Eickhoff (new for John Fenske)
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Bulldogs went 11-1 in the SEC, winning the conference title. They lost in the 1AA-East quarters 5-1 to Dover-Eyota.
Seniors: Sophia Klein
Juniors: Lucie Voigt, Kadence Aarsvold, Kara Schmidt, Olivia Kappers, Ryley Guy.
Key Returning Underclassmen: Aspen Kolling (So.).
Prognosis: The Bulldogs graduated all four All-SEC selections in starting pitcher Emily Miner (114 1/3 IP, 15-4 record, ERA around 2.20, 157 Ks, 73 BBs, .343 average, five 2Bs, 3B, 2 HRs, 17 RBI, 17 R), catcher Lydia Voeltz (.302 average two HRs, 14 RBI, 7 R), Brooke Kolden (OF >.373 average, 13 RBI, 19 R), and Kennedy Fenske (IF >.362 average, team-best 18 RBI, 17 R). Three other starters also graduated. Their top returnee is leading hitter and All-SEC HM pick Lucie Voigt (Jr. >.466 average, seven 2Bs, two 3Bs, 16 RBI, team-best 31 R). Ryley Guy (.416 average in 12 at bats, 5 RBI, 12 R) and Aspen Kolling (.343 average, four 2B, 8 RBI, 12 R) are the only other returning players to see 10-plus at bats. Kolling is the only returning pitcher to toss innings. Mark Eickhoff, who headed Chatfield for a few years, takes over for John Fenske, who has been the only Bulldog coach in the “Journal era” (since 2011).
Fillmore Central/Lanesboro Falcons
Head Coach: Samantha Bratland (new for Ericka Nagel)
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Falcons went 1-14 in the TRC, 3-16 overall. They fell to R-P 10-2 in the 1A East quarters.
Seniors: Kaci Ruen (1B), Regan Hanson (C), Emily Mason (3B).
Juniors: Esme Gastfield, Lydia Penhollow, Klaudia Biel (P), Ellie Anderson (OF), Bailee Erdmann, Lalaina Irish, Indy Qualy
Key Returning Underclassmen: Jensyn Storhoff (Fr. SS), Haley O’Connor (So. OF).
Prognosis: The Falcons had just one All-TRC pick last season, multi-year starter Lauren Mensink (OF), who graduated. Regan Hanson, an All-TRC HM pick, is their “honored” returnee. Jensyn Storhoff, Emily Mason, Ellie Anderson, Kaci Ruen (who is recovering from an injured hand), Klaudia Biel, and Haley O’Connor are all returning regulars. Indy Qualy, and Lelaina Irish also have some experience. Biel (P), Hanson (C), and Storhoff (SS) give FC/L some potential continuity at key positions. Head Coach Bratland is a Spring Grove graduate and was an All-State pitcher for Spring Grove/Caledonia softball in the mid-2010s. The latter was a standout pitcher at Luther College.
Mabel-Canton Cougars
Head Coach: Kati Bergey
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Cougars went 8-4 in the SEC and 10-12 overall. They won a 1A-East quarterfinal game, but then lost to W-K 10-0 and R-P 4-2.
Seniors: Kelly McClimon (1B/OF), Anna Bjertness (OF).
Juniors: Anna Wheat (2B/OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Kira Snyder (So. C/OF), Lainey Hosting (So. IF), Tylar Wenthold (Fr. P), Kailey Ingvalson (So. SS), Hope Erickson (So. Utility).
Prognosis: Mabel-Canton graduated its three All-SEC picks in pitcher Emily Carolan (117 IP, 7-12 record, 90 K, .310 average, three 3Bs, HR, 12 RBI), catcher Molly Lee (team-best .395 average, five 2Bs, 18 R, 17 RBI), and Gwen Tollefsrud (.387 average, HR, team-high 22 RBI, team-high 29 R) plus their All-SEC HM pick in Thea Snyder (LF > .373 average, 17 RBI, 23 R). They do not return an upperclassman who played a lot last year. Underclassmen Kira Snyder (.321 average, 17 RBI, 19 R), Tylar Wenthold (.321 average, 13 RBI, 16 R), Hope Erickson (.250 average, five 2B, 12 R, 14 RBI), Lainey Hosting 11 R, 10 RBI), and Kailey Ingvalson do return after playing in all the Cougars games. Finding a new battery will be key, as Carolan and Lee worked together for multiple years including helping get the Cougars to Austin in 2019 and 2021.
Houston Hurricanes
Head Coach: Josh Swenson
Where We Left Off in 2022: The Hurricanes went 2-10 in the SEC, 2-15 overall. They fell to Southland 10-4 in the 1A quarters.
Seniors: Lilly Carr (P/IF), Olivia Beckman (C), Nicole Beckman (IF).
Juniors: Keyshia Wright.
Key Underclassmen: Emily Botcher (So. IF), Caitlin Brand (So. C/OF), Ella Carrier (So. OF), Olivia Yohe (Fr. IF), Julia Swenson (8th OF).
Prognosis: Houston was young last year and is still young this year. They return their sole All-SEC pick in pitcher Lilly Carr (.318 average, 12 RBI, 16 R, 64 IP, 79 K, 16 BB) and their All-SEC HM selection, Emily Botcher (SS > .354 average, 8 RBI, 8 R). Youngsters Ella Carrier (OF), Olivia Yohe (IF) Caitlin Brand (C/OF), and Julia Swenson (OF) all played a lot last year. The Hurricanes have just four upperclassmen and five sophomores.
Spring Grove Lions
Head Coaches: Kelsey Morken & Taylor Elton
Where We Left Off in 1984: The Lions went 7-7 for the season, including one playoff win, but it was 39 seasons ago in 1984 when Spring Grove last had a standalone lineup before 39 years of successful sharing with Caledonia. No current Lion ladies were on the diamond last year.
Seniors: Maggie Lile (OF, IF C), Peyton Thompson (OF), Kylie Reynolds (OF), Allison Frydenlund (IF), Lydia Solum (IF), Haley Ellingson (OF), Madilyn Ostern (OF), Adyson McHugh (IF).
Juniors: Katelyn Kraus (IF), Clara Myrah (OF).
Prognosis: This will be a year of learning with only junior Katelyn Kraus having had any previous school softball experience two seasons ago. There is plenty of excitement and some quality athletes among 35 girls in the top six grades. There are four or five candidates for the critical pitching position. Both coaches played high school softball in the shared program and went on to be college athletes, including a year of softball for Kelsey Morken. The conference schedule had been set before the Spring Grove program was revived last summer, and the Lions were not able to schedule enough Southeast Conference games to be eligible for the league championship race this season. With a maximum of 20 games allowed, SG was able to schedule 14 games plus a three-game tournament. The first opponent, Fillmore Central/Lanesboro, is now coached by Samantha Bratland, one of the most heralded Spring Grove athletes in school history. A new era begins at Preston versus FC/L on April 13 with the home opener on April 18 against Southland.
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