After 38 years of a shared softball program, Spring Grove and Caledonia will both field a team in this spring of 2023. It is almost starting from scratch for the Lions, none of whom played softball a year ago. Only junior infielder Katelyn Kraus has any school-team experience, two seasons ago as a freshman. There are some quality athletes who have proven themselves on the volleyball and basketball courts. Interest is high with 35 Grove girls (grades 6 through 12) grabbing gloves, eager to be a part of a historic spring sports season.
But it will be a learning experience under the tutelage of two former college athletes who played high school softball for Caledonia/Spring Grove. Kelsey Morken, SG head volleyball coach, played college volleyball, basketball and softball at Southwestern Community College (Iowa). Taylor Elton, head coach for Lion girls basketball and volleyball assistant coach, now adds softball to her coaching resume. Another former player, Alisha Solum, coaches the junior high girls.
The inaugural season of Spring Grove softball was 1979. The sixth and final year before sharing was 39 years ago in 1984 when the Lions went 7-7, including a 5-5 conference record. The lone winning record was the 8-6 campaign of 1981.
The 2023 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. However, with a maximum of 20 games allowed, SG was able to schedule 14 games (seven at home) plus a three-game tournament.
The new era begins on April 10 at Elgin versus Plainview-Elgin-Millville. Next is a trip to Preston to face Fillmore Central/Lanesboro on April 13 with the home opener on Tuesday, April 18 against Southland. That second opponent, FC/L, is now coached by Samantha Bratland, one of the most heralded softball players in Caledonia/Spring Grove softball history before multiple All-America pitching seasons at Luther College.
Seniors (9): Maggie Lile (OF, INF, C), Peyton Thompson (OF), Kylie Reynolds (OF), Allison Frydenlund (INF), Lydia Solum (INF), Haley Ellingson (OF), Kenadee Gerard (OF), Madilyn Ostern (OF), Adyson McHugh (INF)
Juniors (2): Katelyn Kraus (INF), Clara Myrah (OF)
Sophomores (5): Kendal VanMinsel (INF/P), Emerson Ingvalson (INF), Kaitlyn Klug (INF), Sydney Holland (C/INF), Joelle Halverson (OF)
Freshmen (6): Callie Petersen (OF), Macy Kraus (P/INF), Ruby Engeldinger (INF), Siri Konkel (INF/OF), Reagan Storlie (OF), Addison Kessler (OF)
Eighth graders (7): Izabel Kaufmann (C/INF/OF), Brinley Middendorf (P/INF), Jada Strinmoen (P/INF/OF), Destiny Matthews, Corrina Constancio, Layla Kittleson, Harper Staton
Seventh grader (1): Lauren Hammel
sixth graders (5): Karly Olson, Kiah Lundgren, Autumn Petersen, Braelyn Middendorf, Brailyn Gulbranson
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Spring Grove Softball 2023 (4:30 p.m. unless noted)
Mon. 04-10 at Plainview-Elgin-Millville (Elgin) 4 p.m.
Thur. 4-13 at Fillmore Central/Lanesboro (Preston)
Tues. 4-18 Southland
Fri. 4-21 at Schaeffer Academy (Rochester)
Mon. 4-24 La Crescent-Hokah
Fri. 4-28 Houston
Tues. 5-02 at Mabel-Canton
Thur. 5-04 at Houston
Fri. 5-05 Lyle/Pacelli (double header)
Thur. 5-11 GMLOK
Fri. 5-12 at Southland (Rose Creek)
Sat. 5-13 at Pine Island Tournament
Tues. 5-16 Schaeffer Academy
Fri. 5-19 at Rushford-Peterson
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