Game of their own A trio of underclassmen leading the Packers softball surge into the 2018 spring season
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
Table of Contents
Cover story Step Up
Trio of underclassmen leading the way for Packer softball team. Page 3
Season previews
Austin Packers......Pages 4-9 Southland Rebels........... Pages 10-11 LeRoyOstrander Cardinals........Pages 12-13 Grand Meadow Superlarks....... Pages 14-15 Lyle-Pacelli.......Pages 16-17 Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms........ Pages 18-19 Hayfield Vikings..............Pages 20-21
Features
5 Things to Watch
A rundown of the top five story lines to watch during this winter season. Page 17
State Tournament Headquarters
Get the lowdown on tournament locations. Page 13
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An Austin Daily Herald publication
Story previews compiled by Rocky Hulne and layout by Eric Johnson Riverland baseball and softball schedules
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University of Minnesota
Baseball and softball schedules. Page 23
In Frame: Austin Bruins
Bruins moving into the NAHL playoffs. Page 24
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Austin’s Hannah McMasters looks up as Rochester Century’s Abigayle Holets after sliding into second in the first game of a doubleheader at the Wescott dome. Herald file photos
Game of their Own
Trio of Austin softball players making their presence felt on the diamond By Rocky Hulne
sports@austindailyherald.com
Last year the Austin trio of Hannah McMasters, Kyra Walters and Jordyn McCormack may have been a little wide eyed and overwhelmed. All three were thrust into the starting lineup and asked to deliver major production. Walters, a sophomore, was the primary starting first baseman last season and McMasters was the starting third baseman throughout last season. Both have resumed those spots this season. McCormack was brought up part-way through the season last year at second base and this year she’s started the season as the starting second baseman. While their positions have changed, the roles are much different as the trio will be asked to step up in the field and at the plate.
See TRIO, Page 4 Jordyn McCormack, left, was called up to a full-time starting position midway through last season, while Kyra Walters has been in the starting line-up since the beginning of last season. AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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Looking for a breakthrough The Austin softball team is hoping to finally put together a breakout season as it brings back much of last year’s team that finished 7-15 overall. The Packers have some heavy bats back in the lineup as the team returns third baseman Hannah McMasters, who hit .373 with 17 RBIs last season, shortstop Halie Retterath, a senior who hit .386 with 13 RBIs last season and Jordyn McCormack, a sophomore who hit .279 last season. “Our hitting is something we’re working on and we want to be better than we were last year,” Retterath said. “That would help us have success in the tournament.” Austin will look to multiple players to step up in the pitching circle this season as senior Hannah Rasmussen, junior Kennedy Bradford and eighth-grader Jaeda Bekaert could all see some time. Rasmussen is the staff’s veteran and she’ll look to lead the way. “We want to get some wins and we want to get to the state tournament this year. This is our year. We need to work together and play as a team,” Rasmussen said. “We have a decently young team and us seniors need to be leaders.” Rasmussen is ready to get started with the new pitchers working with her. “We have two new girls this year and I’m really excited about them. We have some depth,” she said. Austin also returns Hannah Biwer, Jenna Braaten, Adison Medgaarden, Kyra Walters and Caitlin Kaercher, who all saw varsity time last season. “We want more than the seven wins this group had last year and we’ve talked a lot about it. We hope to do things the right way and win a bunch of games,” Austin head coach Al Eckmann said. “We’ve got some returning players who we hope are going to be pretty good. We’ve got some team speed and the attitude has been fantastic. They’ve been working their tails off and I’m happy where we’re at.”
From Page 3 Walters is ready for that challenge. “Last year when Jordyn and I came up as freshmen, we didn’t feel like we could necessarily speak up,” Walters said. “We were the young ones and our job was to be young. This year we feel like we can do what we want.” Austin head coach Al Eckmann has seen McMasters, Walters and McCormack mature since last year and he’s hoping it can lead to more success on the field. He likes the vibe his team has headed into the season.
“I feel like we’re a big part of it. We’re all really close.” Hannah McMasters
SCHEDULE /Home games in bold * May 29.....................................................Austin 6, Rochester Century 4 Austin 13, Rochester Century 3 April 3...............................vs. Tri-City United, doubleheader at 4 p.m. April 5........................................................................at Northfield, 5 p.m. April 10...................................................................vs. Faribault, 5 p.m. April 12.....................................................................vs. Winona, 5 p.m. April 17.....................................................................at Red Wing, 5 p.m. April 19.............................................at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m. April 23......................................................at Kasson-Mantorville, 5 p.m. April 24...........................................................at Rochester Mayo, 4 p.m. April 26..............................................................at Mankato West, 5 p.m. May 1.............................................................vs. Mankato East, 5 p.m. May 3.......................................................................at Owatonna, 5 p.m. May 5.................................................................vs. Albert Lea, 11 a.m. May 8...........................................................................at Winona, 5 p.m. May 10..................................................................vs. Red Wing, 5 p.m. May 11...............................................................vs. Stewartville, 4 p.m. May 15.........................................vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m.
*All games at Todd Park. Games will move to the Wescott dome in case of inclement weather
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Trio: Players up for the challenge
Austin shortstop Halie Retterath looks to first base after fielding a ground ball against Rochester Century in the first game of a doubleheader to kick off the season at the Wescott dome. Herald file photo
“It’s been fantastic, those three are really doing a good job,” Eckmann said. “The whole group has been a fun and close knit group. Nobody complains and it’s kind of a whole new world to them.” McMasters is also liking the feel of being a leader and she said the team has a solid connection. “I feel like we’re a big part of it. We’re all really close,” McMasters said. McCormack said she is feeling much more comfortable in her second varsity season with the Packers. She’s also gone out of her way to take Austin eighth grade pitcher Jaeda Bekaert under her wing. “We’re not the young ones anymore and we’re not nervous anymore,” McCormack said. “Jaeda is two years younger than us and we can be leaders for her and have her look up to us.” AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Veterans stepping to the stage The Austin baseball team has a veteran team with big experience, which gives it plenty of high hopes headed into the season. But the Packers don’t want to get too far ahead of themselves. Austin will ride behind the leadership of eight seniors and it has eight returning starters and the bulk of the pitching staff, back in action from last year’s team that finished 13-11 overall and finished in the Final Four of Section 1AAA. “There’s some optimism, but you’ve got to go out there and prove it,” Austin head coach Joe Kroc said. “But we’ve got to get healthy too with the three guys injured going into the year. It’s going to boil down to consistency and hopefully we can do that.” The Packers will look to Jack Dankert, who had an ERA of 2.03 and a batting average of .339 last season, Phillip Zynda, who hit .362 last season, Nate Murphy, who had an ERA of 1.40 last season and Hunter Guyette, who hit .342 last season, all to step up. Josi Bothun and Michael O’Connor will fill out the pitching staff, with others expected to step up as well. “We’ve always really had depth and I don’t feel like I’ll have to throw that much this year. We’ve got arms and we can throw whoever really,” Bothun said. “I feel like we’ve got the energy and the right mindset going into the season. As long as we keep our heads right, we’ll be solid this year.” Much like last year, Kroc expects the pitching staff to be crucial for the Packers, as the season may be compacted to a shorter stretch, due to a late spring. “I think we have some good depth behind our starting pitchers, which is different from previous years,” Kroc said. “I think last year our pitching staff and our defense was our strength. Hopefully we can continue to throw strikes and field the ball and that will put us in a good spot.” No matter how this season shapes out, the Packer senior class will likely have a big say in what happens down the stretch. Outfielder Ross Young said that the group is feeling confident. “We have a lot of seniors back from last year,” Young said. “We’re going to have a strong squad and hopefully we can make a push at state.” Kroc was so confident in the group that he made all eight seniors captains. “We have a really, really good senior class,” Kroc said. “We’re making every senior a captain this year because that’s how high we AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold
Austin’s Hunter Guyette follows a high pitch in during an at-bat against Mankato East last season at Dick Seltz Field. Herald file photo
April 6..............................................................vs. Hibbing, 5 p.m. April 7..............................................................at Albert Lea, 1 p.m. April 10...............................................................at Faribault, 5 p.m. April 12.................................................................at Winona, 5 p.m. April 17.........................................................vs. Red Wing, 5 p.m. April 19..............................vs. Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m. April 21....................................at Northfield, doubleheader at noon April 24...........................doubleheader at Rochester Mayo, 4 p.m. April 26.................................................vs. Mankato West, 5 p.m. May 1.........................................................at Mankato East, 7 p.m. May 3...........................................................vs. Owatonna, 5 p.m. May 5...................................at Tri-City United Tournament, 11 a.m. May 8...............................................................vs. Winona, 5 p.m. May 10..............................................................at Red Wing, 5 p.m. May 15.....................................at Rochester John Marshall, 5 p.m. May 18.............vs. Rochester Century, doubleheader at 4 p.m.
think of them. All of the seniors have stepped up. They’re helping the younger kids with the drills that we’re doing and the things we’re trying to emphasize.” Austin’s Legion and VFW baseball teams each put together solid seasons last summer and players from both of those teams should see time on varsity this season. It’ll be how the Packers finish and not how they start that will determine what kind of year they have. “The VFW team had a really good year and was the No. 1 seed and the Legion had a really good year and was the No. 1 seed, but neither of them made it to the state tournament,” Kroc said. “We’ve been stressing this year that you can do well, but it’s the teams that execute at the end of the year that will be moving on.” FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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Boys track fueled by its depth The Austin boys track and field team has one of its biggest rosters in years as it looks to push toward a competitive season. The Packers have 10 returning seniors on the team and a few seniors that are new to the sport. “The strengths of our team this year is our depth,” Austin head coach Ryan Timm said. “We have not done a ton of event work, but we appear to have a very athletic group of boys this year. We have a lot of soccer athletes that are new to track and they are great athletes. I hope they remain faithful to track as summer soccer starts up at the end of our season.”
“I have seen a number of boys step up, but it will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate consistently in each of the event areas.” Ryan Timm Coach
Austin’s Henry Hinchcliffe heads in to a first-place finish in the 1,600-meter run last season. Herald file photos
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The Packers will look to distance runner Henry Hinchcliffe, a junior, and thrower Thomas Kroymann, a junior, to lead the way. Kroymann was able to learn some lessons watching Austin grad Pat Hagen throw at the state meet last year. Hagen is currently throwing for the University of Sioux Falls. “We want to improve and keep our success going. We have a lot of good athletes this year and we want to keep sending kids to state,” Kroymann said. “We’re young, but we’re listening so we’re learning and getting better. It’ll be interesting. We’ve got some good leaders.”
Austin’s Brock Lawhead is one of those runners adding depth to this year’s squad. Austin will have some new roles to fill, but it does have a new crop of distance runners and sprinters who are ready to give it a go. “I have seen a number of boys step up, but it will be interesting to see who steps up to the plate consistently in each of the event areas,” Timm said. “The dome has been incredibly helpful in preparing for this season as this is the longest we have been stuck inside practicing at the beginning of the season.” Timm hopes the team embraces the season and finds some joy on the track. “My goal for the team is the same as it always has been, that the guys have a positive experience, find an event they enjoy, and get better at it,” Timm said.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 3............................................................at Faribault, 4:30 p.m. April 12...................................................................vs. Albert Lea, Kasson-Mantorville, Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. April 17............................vs. Faribault, Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. April 20....vs. Esko, Logan, Mankato East, Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m. April 24........................................................at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m. May 1..............................................................at Winona, 4:30 p.m. May 3.........................................................at Mankato East, 4 p.m. May 8..at ‘True Team’ Section 1AA meet in Rochester Mayo, TBA May 15......................vs. Albert Lea, Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m. May 24...........................at Big Nine Meet in Northfield, 10:30 a.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Packer girls bringing a lot of numbers to 2018 The Austin girls track and field team has its biggest freshman class in 18 years and the team has more than 60 total athletes as it looks towards a successful spring. The Packers have 28 total freshmen on the team and they will look to distance runners Abby Lewis, Molly Garry, Morgan Hose, Nadia Vaughn and Cassidy Shute to lead the way, along with hurdlers Taige Iverson and Hannah Quandt. Unfortunately, Austin will be missing senior Sydney Marsh, who was a two-time state qualifier in pole vault, and sprinter Isabel Leuer due to injuries. “We have a lot of athletes new to the program so it will take a few meets to see what they are capable of and to see what their best events are going to be,” Austin head coach Nancy Jones said. “Many of these are athletes new to the program that are showing a terrific work ethic.” Jones is hoping Hannah Alberts, who is back from an injury, and Tori Watkins can step up and bring some speed to the team this season. Overall, the Packers have 13 athletes back with varsity experience, but the team is showing it is ready to put in hard work. “The athletes on the team are very coachable and terrific to work with,” Jones said.” We want to see improvement in the times and distances from the beginning to the end of the season.”
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 3............................................................at Faribault, 4:30 p.m. April 12...................................................................vs. Albert Lea, Kasson-Mantorville, Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. April 17..........................................................at Faribault, 4:30 p.m. April 20....vs. Esko, Logan, Mankato East, Rochester Century, Rochester John Marshall, Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m. April 24......vs. Albert Lea, Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m. May 1....................................................at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. May 3.........................................................at Mankato East, 4 p.m. May 8..at ‘True Team’ Section 1AA Meet in Rochester Mayo, TBA May 15..............................................at Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m. May 24............................at Big Nine Meet in Northfield, 10:30 a.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Taige Iverson clears the final hurdle during the 100 meter hurdles in a home meet last season. Herald file photo
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Austin’s Jens Ourada chases down a ball at No. 1 singles against Rochester John Marshall at Neveln Courts. Herald file photo
Packer tennis seeks to hold its own in Big 9 The Austin boys tennis team is hoping a big senior class can lead the way as it looks to hold its own in the Big Nine Conference this spring. The Packers are coming off a season that saw them go 5-9 overall and head coach Jeff Anderson thinks the team could have an even better season this year. “We would like to be in the middle of the Big 9 standings this season,” Anderson said. “With our talent and experience that should
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be an obtainable goal.” While Austin did graduate three players from last year’s team, it brings back a good portion of the squad. Seniors Jens Ourada, a long-time No. 1 singles player for Austin, Bryar Flanders, Eli Hirst, Hugh Olson, Josh Brehmer, Logan Braaten and Lucas Goodew should all step up for the Packers. “I see our seniors being our leaders this year. We have a large group of seniors that will need to step up and lead this team. Their
experience will be vital to our success,” Anderson said. Unfortunately for the Packers, the weather has not cooperated with them in early practices. Cold temperatures have kept the team indoors as it has prepared for the season. “Our strength will be our experience and our weakness will be our lack of practice time prior to the beginning of the season,” Anderson said.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 3.........................................................at Red Wing, 4:30 p.m. April 5...................................................at Mankato East, 4:30 p.m. April 7..................................vs. Mankato West, Winona, 11 a.m. April 10.....................................................vs. Faribault, 4:30 p.m. April 12................................at Rochester John Marshall, 4:30 p.m. April 21.............................................................at Owatonna, 9 a.m. April 24...................................................vs. Northfield, 4:30 p.m. April 30..........................................................vs. Fairmont, 4 p.m. May 1...........................................vs. Rochester Mayo, 4:30 p.m. May 3........................................................at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. May 5..............................................................vs. Waseca, 10 a.m. May 8..........................................................at Albert Lea, 4:30 p.m. May 12..................................at Big Nine meet in Rochester, 9 a.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Packer golfers a mix of experience, new faces Noah Bawek looking to make jump to state The Austin boys golf team has some new faces this season, but it’s hoping a familiar face can make a run at the Minnesota Class AAA State Golf Meet. The Packers bring back four golfers from last year, including Noah Bawek, a senior and fifth-year varsity golfer. Bawek competed in the Section 1AAA finals last season and head coach Matt Raso said he could take some even bigger steps this season. “We’re expecting big things from Noah and we’re hoping he can kind of put everything together that we’ve been working on for the last four years,” Raso said. “Bawek’s right there as far as getting to state. He’s capable. He’s just got to clean up the short game.” Austin will look to senior Jacob Halsey, who is in his fourth year on varsity, senior Brady Olson, sophomore Jordan Wilson and freshman Jamesion Johnson to lead the way this year. “Jordan Wilson has gotten a lot better than last year and a few guys have worked and spent some time on the course,” Raso said. The Packers are low on numbers, but they will have just enough golfers to fill out a varsity and a JV squad.
Austin’s Noah Bawek putts on No. 1 at the Austin Country Club during a dual with Red Wing last season. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com “It’s tough to get golfers out right now. I don’t think we’ll be pushing for any conference titles,” Raso said. “I’m hoping to not have to take any scores past a 90 this year. It’ll be an improvement day by day kind of thing. That’s what I preach to them. I’m not too concerned about where they’re at, it’s how we improve throughout the year.”
With the Packer golfers competing at different ability levels, Raso will look to find each golfer’s strength and focus on improving their game. “We’ll work with them,” Raso said. “We’re just getting our feet wet with them swinging again. Everyone’s on a different level. It’s all about how much time they put in.”
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 7..................................................................at Hayfield, 9 a.m. April 9.....................................................vs. Northfield, 2:30 p.m. April 16........................................................at Red Wing, 2:30 p.m. April 24..........................................................at Faribault, 2:30 p.m. April 25............................................at Rochester Mayo, 12:45 p.m. April 30.vs. Mankato East, Rochester John Marshall, 2:30 p.m. May 3................................................................at Northfield, 2 p.m. May 7..............................................................at Winona, 2:30 p.m. May 10......................................................at Stewartville, 2:30 p.m. May 14..............................................at Rochester Mayo, 2:30 p.m. May 17............................................................at Red Wing, 11 a.m. May 19........................................................at Owatonna, 1:30 p.m. May 23.................................at Big Nine Meet in Northfield, 10 a.m.
A strong few to lead girls golf team
Packer squad led by a trio of seniors looking to break through The Austin girls golf team should be strong at the top, but the team is lacking depth throughout the roster as it has had to bring up middle schoolers to fill out the JV team. At the varsity level, Austin will be led by seniors Madelyn Brown, Madison Hasley and Kristina Thorson. Halsey and Thorson are both long-time varsity players and each of them advanced to the Section 1AAA finals last season and head coach Ryan Weichmann is hoping they take the next step this season. They’re hoping they can end their Packer careers on a high note this season by getting to the Minnesota Class AAA State Golf Meet.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 9..........................................................at Northfield, 2:30 p.m. April 16...................................................vs. Red Wing, 2:30 p.m. April 17......................................................at Red Wing, 12:30 p.m. April 24.................................................at Mankato West, 2:30 p.m. April 30................................at Rochester John Marshall, 2:30 p.m. May 7........................vs. Rochester Century, Winona, 2:30 p.m. May 10......................................................at Stewartville, 2:30 p.m. May 12..................................................at Mankato East, 2:30 p.m. May 15........................................................at Owatonna, 2:30 p.m. May 21........at Big Nine Meet in Rochester John Marshall, 10 a.m.
“Kristina and Maddie Hasley should both be going to state if they really commit themselves to getting swings in,” Weichmann said. “I wouldn't be surprised at all if they make it. Hopefully this year is their year and
I'd love to see them make it to state.” This is the smallest group of golfers that Austin has had in at least a decade and it’s the smallest group under Weichmann. Austin junior Signe Fadness said the positive part about bringing up middle schoolers is that they can lean on the varsity golfers for advice. “We're excited about the middle schoolers being moved up because we can work with them and that will help the future of the program,” Fadness said. Cynder Higgins also returns to the Packers this season with varsity experience under her belt.
Madison Hasley chips a shot for the Austin girls golf team last season. Herald file photo AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
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Southland will look to seniors, juniors The Southland baseball team has a lot of experience on its side as it looks to make a strong push this spring. The Rebels, who went 11-10 overall last season, have seven seniors and seven juniors and head coach Scott Retterath is looking to shuffle his lineup early on to see who gives him the best fit. Southland will look to seniors Jared Landherr, who hit .329 last season and Bret Matthews and juniors Lee Wilson, who hit .378 last season and Eli Schwartz to lead the way this season. “Barring any injuries our pitching should be OK,” Retterath said. “We’re hoping we can improve on our hitting so we can put some runs up on the board.” Southland will also look for Carl Mueller Garret Mullenbach, Parker Brigham, Corey Retterath, Alex Kiefer, Tyler Jax, Caden Sorenson, Isaac Eissinger and Marcus Chavez to step up.
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold
Southland’s Parker Brigham slides into home during a game against Grand Meadow-LeRoy/Ostrander-Kingsland last season. Herald file photo
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April 3 ............................................................... at Chatfield, 5 p.m. April 5 ................................. vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. April 6 ............................................ at Wabasha-Kellogg, 4:30 p.m. April 13 ...........................................................vs. GMLOK, 5 p.m. April 16 .................................................vs. Saint Charles, 5 p.m. April 20 ..................................................at Fillmore Central, 5 p.m. April 21 ......................................................at Dover-Eyota, 11 a.m. April 24 .......................................................vs. Caledonia, 5 p.m. April 26 ...................................................at Lewiston-Altura, 5 p.m. April 27 ...................................................vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m. May 1 ...........................................................at La Crescent, 5 p.m. May 3 .......................................... vs. Rushford-Peterson, 5 p.m. May 4 ............................................................vs. Chatfield, 5 p.m. May 8 ......................................... at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. May 10 ........................................... vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. May 11 .......................................................at Saint Charles, 5 p.m. May 15 ....................................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. May 17 ...........................................at GMLOK in Kingsland, 5 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Making good on experience Southland golfers hoping to contend for a conference championship
Lexi Shaw reaches out for a grounder against Winona Cotter last season in Rose Creek. Herald file photo
Southland hits 2018 behind returners The Southland softball team will bring back eight players with big-time varsity experience as it looks to improve on last year’s record of 5-17 overall. The Rebels will look for their senior class to step up this spring as the group has played in a lot of games for Southland. Taylor Behnd was Southland’s primary pitcher last season and she had an ERA of 5.20, while hitting .333. Lexi Shaw hit .292 and Brianna Johnson hit .278. Morgan Brown, Lily Riddles and Chelsey Kasel will all play key roles this season as well.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
“The seniors are all stepping up and helping the younger girls and they work well together,” Southland head coach Greg Schulte, who is in his 12th year as head coach, said. Southland played well in the postseason last season as it won its first two tournament games to get to the Section 1A West title game. Schulte is hoping the Rebels can carry that momentum into this season. “We want to improve and continue playing as we did in tournament play last year,” Schulte said.
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold
April 3............................................................vs. Chatfield, 5 p.m. April 5.........................................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. April 6.............................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 4:30 p.m. April 12...................................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. April 13...........................................at GMLOK in Kingsland, 5 p.m. April 16..................................................at Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m. April 20..............................................vs. Fillmore Central, 5 p.m. April 24............................................................at Caledonia, 5 p.m. April 26..............................................vs. Lewiston-Altura, 5 p.m. April 27......................................................at Winona Cotter, 5 p.m. May 1........................................................vs. La Crescent, 5 p.m. May 3............................................at Rushford-Peterson, 4:30 p.m. May 4.................................................................at Chatifeld, 5 p.m. May 8....................................vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. May 10.............................................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. May 11...............................................vs. Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m. May 15.........................................................at Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. May 17...............................................................vs. GMLOK, 5 p.m.
The Southland golf team will look to an experienced group to take charge this spring. The boys and the girls team each has four golfers returning and the teams are hoping to contend for Three Rivers Conference titles. Jake Schmitz and Max Schmitz will lead the Rebel boys and Hannah Bergene and Laura Bottema are looking to lead the Rebel girls. “We grew more competitive last year and now we look to improve on that,” Southland head coach Jim Guthmiller, who is in his third year as head coach, said.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 7.................................................................at Hayfield, TBA April 13.................................................vs. Chatfield, 4:30 p.m. April 16..............................................at Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m. April 17................................................at Dover-Eyota, 4:30 p.m. April 20.................................................Southland Invite, noon April 24...............................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 4:30 p.m. April 27...............................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 4:30 p.m. April 30...................................................................at Triton, TBA May 1............................................vs. Saint Charles, 4:30 p.m. May 4..............................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 4:30 p.m. May 7........................................................at Chatfield, 4:30 p.m. May 8..................................................vs. St. Ansgar, 4:15 p.m. May 11.........................vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 4:30 p.m. May 15....................................................at Kingsland, 4:30 p.m. May 23.......................at Three Rivers Meet in Rochester, 2 p.m.
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GMLOK baseball low on numbers Experience will be key in Bulldogs 2018 run The GMLOK baseball team is a little short on numbers, but it does have some experience on its side. The Bulldogs, who went 8-16 overall last season, will look to two-year starter seniors Zach Myhre, Zach Bubany, Grant Skifter and Ethan Fenske to step up. GMLOKS has just 13 high school players on the roster. “We’re looking to be competitive in every game,” GMLOK head coach Jamie Fenske said. “Our strengths are our attitude and dedication and our weakness will be our depth.” GM’s Drew Copley, a standout hitter and pitcher, is out for the season with a knee injury from the football season.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 3...................................................................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. April 5......................................................................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. April 6..................................................................................at Saint Charles, 5 p.m. April 9...............................................................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. April 10........................................................................at Rushford-Peterson, 5 p.m. April 13......................................................................................at Southland, 5 p.m. April 17...................................................................................vs. Chatfield, 5 p.m. April 19...................................................................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 5 p.m. April 24.......................................................................vs. Fillmore Central, 5 p.m. April 26......................................................................................at Caledonia, 5 p.m. April 27.......................................................................vs. Lewiston-Altura, 5 p.m. April 30.........................................................................at Glenville-Emmons, 5 p.m. May 1..................................................................................at Winona Cotter, 5 p.m. May 3..................................................................................vs. LaCrescent, 5 p.m. May 4.............................................................vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. May 7....................................................................................at Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. May 8............................................................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. May 10............................................................................vs. Saint Charles, 5 p.m. May 17..................................................................................vs. Southland, 5 p.m. May 18........................................................................................at Chatfield, 5 p.m.
Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland’s Zach Bubany gears up to fire across for the out against Southland last year. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Bulldogs softball team looking to build on 2017 success GMLOK pushed to 17-6 season last year, losing in section elimination game The Grand Meadow-LeRoy-Ostrander-Kingsland softball team is hoping for another successful spring after the team
had a solid season last year. The Bulldogs went 17-6 overall in 2017 and their season came to an end when
they lost 7-5 to eventual state champ Zumbrota-Mazeppa in a Section 1AA East elimination game.
SCHEDULE / Home meets in bold April 3 .................................vs. Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 5 p.m. April 5...................................................at Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. April 6....................................................vs. Saint Charles, 5 p.m. April 9...........................................................at Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. April 10..............................................at Rushford-Peterson, 5 p.m. April 13........................................................vs. Southland, 5 p.m. April 17...............................................................at Chatfield, 5 p.m. April 19...........................................................at Lyle-Pacelli, 5 p.m. April 20......................................................at Mabel-Canton, 5 p.m. April 24....................................................at Fillmore Central, 5 p.m. April 26........................................................vs. Caledonia, 5 p.m. April 27....................................................at Lewiston-Altura, 5 p.m. May 1....................................................vs. Winona Cotter, 5 p.m. May 3............................................................at La Crescent, 5 p.m. May 4.........................................at Plainview-Elgiin-Millville, 5 p.m. May 7.......................................................vs. Dover-Eyota, 5 p.m. May 8..............................................vs. Wabasha-Kellogg, 5 p.m. May 10........................................................at Saint Charles, 5 p.m. May 17.............................................................at Southland, 5 p.m. May 18...........................................................vs. Chatfield, 5 p.m.
State Tournament Headquarters Baseball June 14-16 — Saints Field, Dick Siebert Field-University of Minnesota, Dick Putz Field-St. Cloud, Joe Faber Field-St. Cloud, Chaska Athletic Park, Mini Met-Jordan, CHS Field, Minnetonka High School, Target Field Softball June 7-8 — Caswell Park-North Mankato. Boys and Girls Track June 8-9 — Hamline University, St. Paul Boys Tennis June 5-8 — Baseline Center (Class AA) and Reed Sweatt Center (Class A) Boys and Girls Golf June 12-13 — Pebble Creek (Class A), Sand
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Creek (Class AA) and Bunker Hills (Class AAA) Clay Target June 22 — Minneapolis Gun Club, Prior Lake.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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GMLOKS boys runners set with numbers The GMLOKS boys track and field team is high on numbers as it has 31 high school athletes and 24 junior high athletes. A good chunk of those athletes are new to the sport of track and field. “I think the greatest strength of this year's team is numbers,” said GMLOKS head coach Eric Thorson, now is in his first year as head coach. “We have had a pretty big spike in interest in joining the program this year, and we are excited for the opportunities to be more competitive in practice and meets because of the increase in athletes.” Thorson is looking forward to meets, where he can sort —Eric Thorson out athletes Coach into their best event. Senior Drew Lewison will step up as one of the leaders for GMLOKS as he competed in and took fifth in the 300-meter hurdles and 12th in 110-meter hurdles at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet last season. “This year we have a group of seniors that will be great leaders for our squad. Many of the seniors on this years squad have competed at the section meet, and have been out for several years,” Thorson said. GMLOKS has been moved down a Class in the True Team Meet, which could give the team a boost. “This year, for the True Team Meet, we
“We have a pretty big spike in interest in joining the program this year ...”
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FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland’s Drew Lewison competes in the second heat of the 110 high hurdles last year at the Minnesota Class AA State Track and Field Meet at Hamline University in St. Paul. Herald file photo have been moved down from Section 1 AA to Section 1A,” Thorson said. “We think this will greatly benefit us as a team. We would like to be competitive at all meets, especially the True Team Meet, where we have set a goal to finish in the top half of teams at the meet.”
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 10 ..............................................................at Hayfield, 4 p.m. April 17..........................................................at Stewartville, 4 p.m. April 19...................................................................at Triton, 4 p.m. April 24.......................................at Plainview-Elgin-Millville, 4 p.m. May 3.................vs. Hayfield, Lyle-Pacelli, Schaeffer Academy, Stewartville in Grand Meadow, 4 p.m.
May 8..........................................................at Dover-Eyota, 4 p.m. May 15...........................................Grand Meadow Invite, 4 p.m. May 18...................................................................at Triton, 4 p.m.
*Schedule includes both girls and boys track schedules
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
GMLO boys and girls golf BOYS SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 6..............................................vs. Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. April 7..................................................................at Hayfield, 9 a.m. April 13...........................................at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. April 19...........................................................at Stewartville, 2 p.m. April 20......................................................at Southland, 12:45 p.m. April 23..................................................vs. Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m. April 24....................................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. April 27..................................................at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. April 30....................................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. May 4.........................................................vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 8.........................................................at Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m. May 11..........................................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. May 17................................................................at Hayfield, 4 p.m. May 18...........................................................at Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 24...............SEC Meet at Cedar River Country Club, 9 a.m.
GIRLS SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold
The Grand Meadow/LeRoy-Ostrander/Kingsland/Southland’s Lauren Buchholtz (middle) blazes down the front straightaway towards the finish of the 4 x 200 relay finals at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet last season. Herald file photo
April 6...............................................vs. Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. April 13...........................................at Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. April 23..................................................vs. Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m. April 24....................................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. April 27..................................................at Alden-Conger, 4:30 p.m. April 30....................................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. May 4.........................................................vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 8.........................................................at Lanesboro, 4:30 p.m. May 11......................................vs. Glenville-Emmons, 4:30 p.m. May 18...........................................................at Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 24..............SEC Meet in Cedar River Country Club, 9 a.m.
Bolstered by veterans Six returning runners have “We are really excited about the opportunities to compete state track experience and hopefully be successful this year.” The GMLOKS girls track and field team has 17 athletes back with varsity experience, including a handful of athletes with state experience. Emily Hovden, Riley Queensland, Lauren Buchholtz, Isabelle Olson, Jordyn Glynn and Kassidy Kirtz have all run in the Minnesota Class A State meet before in their careers. Last year the GMLOKS 4 x 200-meter relay team that featured Hovden, Queensland, Buchholtz and Katelyn Luthe, who graduated, took third in the state. “After a successful season last year, I will be looking for Emily, Riley and Lauren to step up for the team,” said Aaron Thauwald, AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
— Aaron Thauwald Coach who is in his second year at the helm. “I will be looking to these girls for leadership and also the opportunity to continue the success.” GMLOKS is hoping a bulk of team speed can push everyone to run at a faster pace, especially in the sprints and middle distances. “We are really excited about the opportunities to compete and hopefully be successful this year,” Thauwald said. “With the talent and work ethic that we have, especially from some of the upperclassmen, we have
great potential.” GMLOKS also has its eye on the Class A True Team meet and the SEC. “This year, the team is down a class for the True Team meet,” Thauwald said. “After a strong showing last year in AA, we at least want to be in contention to win the section this year at True Team. That will be one of the team's ultimate goals. Also, we will be looking to compete for another SEC conference championship and then hopefully get more girls to state.” FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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LP setting sights on developing its youth The Lyle-Pacelli baseball team is young, but talented as it looks to make a big stride this season. The Athletics bring back eight returning starters from a team that went 11-7 overall last season as they look to continue to build the program. LP has just four upperclassmen on the roster and captains Taylor Arett and Bryce Strouf, who hit .345 last season, will be asked to step up as leaders. “There is talent on this team — young but talented, probably the most talent we have had from top to bottom since I have been here,” said LP head coach Brock Meyer. “They are good kids that come every day to work, which makes my job a whole lot easier.” LP will look to the freshman trio of Zach Bollingberg, Cole Walter and Jed Nelson to make a difference this season. Bollingberg had a solid season last year as he went 4-4 on the mounds, with an ERA of 3.38. “We have good baseball IQ’s on this team, players who have been playing baseball for a long time which will allow us to do some things on the field we haven’t been able to in the past,” said Meyer, who is in his seventh year at the helm. “We will have to rely on a lot of young guys as far as our depth chart goes. We don’t have a lot of experience behind our starters especially in the older classes.”
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold April 7...............................................vs. Fillmore Central, 11 a.m. April 13.............................................vs. Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m. April 17................................vs. United South Central, 4:30 p.m. April 19.......................................................vs. GMLOK, 4:30 p.m. April 20...........................................................at Houston, 4:30 p.m. April 23.........................................at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m. April 24....................................................vs. Randolph, 4:30 p.m. April 26...................................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m. April 30.........................................................vs. Cleveland, 5 p.m. May 1...................vs. Mabel-Canton, doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. May 7.............................................................vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m. May 8.....................................................at Spring Grove, 4:30 p.m. May 12..................................................................at Hayfield, noon May 14...................................................at Martin Luther, 4:30 p.m. May 15.......................................................vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 17.........................................................at Randolph, 4:30 p.m.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
Lyle-Pacelli’s Taylor Arett pitches in the second inning against Martin Luther at Marcusen Park last season. Herald file photo
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
LP softball turning to new coach Team installs goal of improvement
The Lyle-Pacelli softball team will turn to a new head coach as it looks to improve on last year’s record of 4-12 overall. Rick Guenther will be LP’s new head coach this season and he has 25 years of experience in coaching the sport. Guenther was an assistant coach for Plainview-Elgin-Millville for five
years and the team went to the state tournament in three of those years. He also was the head coach at Sioux Valley-Round Lake, where he guided the team to the section finals. LP has 21 players on the roster, which means it will be able to field a varsity and a JV team. “The team goal for this season is to improve on last year’s season and win some games in the postseason,” Guenther said. “We return a lot of players and picked up several more.”
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AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Junior captain shortstop Abby Bollingberg, who hit .333 last season, will be back in action for the Athletics and she’ll be asked to step up along with fellow captains Miranda Arkells and Abbey Neve. LP has 13 returning players with varsity experience, including two seniors and seven juniors. “I am looking for my three captains to step up and lead the team on and off the field,” Guenther said. “All three are underclassmen with four or more years of varsity experience.”
Hayfield’s Kyal Heydt heads home after a home run in last year’s Secton 1A title game. Herald file photo
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold
April 13...........................................................at Hayfield, 4:30 p.m. April 17............................................at United South Central, 5 p.m. April 19.......................................................vs. GMLOK, 4:30 p.m. April 20...........................................................at Houston, 4:30 p.m. April 23.........................................at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m. April 24....................................................vs. Randolph, 4:30 p.m. April 26...................................vs. Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m. April 27.............................................vs. Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m. April 30...................................................vs. Cleveland, 4:30 p.m. May 1....................................................at Mabel-Canton, 4:30 p.m. May 7.............................................................vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m. May 12.......................................at Hayfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m. May 14...................................................at Martin Luther, 4:30 p.m. May 15.......................................................vs. Houston, 4:30 p.m. May 17.........................................................at Randolph, 4:30 p.m.
LP track will look to overcome small numbers Former assistant coach Jon McDonough taking over head coach duties
Hoping to compete
The Austin baseball team has a lot of players with big varsity experience and they’re hoping it translates to a big time season. The Packers are deep in pitching and defense and if their hitting can come around, they’ll be right in the thick of things in Section 1AAA.
Fourth time’s a charm
The Hayfield softball team has all of the pieces in place to get back to the Minnesota Class A State Softball Tournament. The Vikings are senior heavy and very experienced and they’re looking to build off of last year’s fourth place finish.
Austin’s next step
The Packer softball team has shown flares of being a tough squad over the past two years and Austin is hoping this is the year it clicks and puts together a solid spring. Austin has two new pitchers in the fold and it brings back much of its lineup from last season.
Young Athletics
The Lyle-Pacelli baseball team is young, but eager as it looks to gain experience this season. The team will likely lean on the freshman trio of Zach Bollingberg, Cole Walter and Jed Nelson to try and pick up
Austin pitcher Josi Bothun works against Rochester John Marshall. Herald file photo some wins.
Breakout Blossoms
The Blooming Prairie baseball team won just four games last season, but this is the most experienced team BP has had in the past few seasons. The Awesome Blossoms will look for senior slugger Brad Staska to get the offense moving on a daily basis.
The Lyle-Pacelli track and field team has 21 athletes back with varsity experience this season as it looks to stay on the run. LP is also turning to a new head coach as Jon McDonough takes over as the head coach after he was an assistant for three years. “We have a great, close-knit team,” McDonough said. “Everyone works well together and helps each other out. Our primary weakness is the size of our team. It is difficult to compete when we cannot fill events.” LP’s boys team will look to Patrick Murphy and Jospeh Maas and the LP girls will look to Kayla Christopherson and Sonia Ramirez. LP didn’t have any state qualifiers last season as Christopherson took third in the 1600-meter run at the Section 1A meet. “We are looking to focus on personal and team improvements,” McDonough said. “Rather than worrying about winning meets, especially early in the season, we would rather focus on working to our potential throughout the entire season and look forward to rewards later in the season.”
SCHEDULE April 10 ................................................... at Hayfield, 4:30 April 21 .............................................at Pine Island, 10:30 April 26 ................................................... at Hayfield, 4:30 May 3 ............................at GMLOKS in Grand Meadow, 4 May 10 .................................................... at Medford, 4:30
p.m. a.m. p.m. p.m. p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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BP hoping veterans can lead to better record Blossoms will look to All-Stater Brad Staska to help guide the way The Blooming Prairie baseball team is hoping the return of some veteran leaders can help the squad improve on last year’s record of 4-16 overall. BP will look to senior first baseman Brad Staska, who was All-State last season, hit .530 with 23 RBIs, and juniors Seth PeMatt Kittelson terson, who Coach has started since he was an eighth grader and hit .390 last season and Payton Simon, who hit .313 last season. “Our biggest strength will be our depth and the number of starters that return,” said BP head coach Matt Kittelson, who is in his fourth year on the job. “Most of these kids have started since ninth grade. Pitching still remains the question mark, but depth should help that this year.” BP graduated four seniors and two starters from last year’s team and it brings back 12
“Our biggest strength will be our depth and the number of starters that return.”
Blooming Prairie’s Seth Peterson slides safely in to home against Lyle-Pacelli at Marcusen Park. Herald file photo players with varsity experience. The team has eight seniors and seven juniors. “This is the deepest and most experienced team I’ve ever had,” Kittelson said. “ Our goal is to get better each and every game. We want to be better today than what we were yesterday, and compete for a conference and sub-section championship.”
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold April 7............................vs. Maple River, doubleheader at noon April 9..................................................................at Medford, 5 p.m. April 12............................................at United South Central, 5 p.m. April 14.........................................................vs. Houston, 10 a.m. April 16......................vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m. April 19..............................................at New Richland-HEG, 5 p.m. April 20........................at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 4:30 p.m. April 23......................vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m. April 2.............................................................at Hayfield, 4:15 p.m.
May 1..............................................................vs. Medford, 5 p.m. May 3.........................................vs. United South Central, 5 p.m. May 7................................at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 5 p.m. May 8...........................................at Schaeffer Academy, 4:30 p.m. May 10..........................................vs. New Richland-HEG, 5 p.m. May 12...............................................at Glenvile-Emmons, 10 a.m. May 15..............................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m. May 17................................................vs. Mankato Loyola, 5 p.m. May 18...............................................................at Triton, 4:30 p.m.
B. Prairie runners falling in behind middle, distance runners The Blooming Prairie boys and girls track and field team will turn to a new head coach this season as it looks to stay competitive. Chelsea Van Roekel, who has been an assistant coach for BP for the past three years, is the team’s new head coach. Van Roekel was the long and middle distance coach at New Ulm High School before she coached at BP. “One of our strengths is our depth in the distance and middle distance events,” Van Roeklel said. “We have a lot of multi-purpose athletes this year that could be successful no matter which events we place them in. We are a very young team, but our numbers are growing and I am very confident as the season progresses our younger athletes could end up being one of our strengths.” BP’s boys team will look to distance runner Alec Ille to lead the way and the girls will be led by Asia Thostenson, a hurdler. Sam Wurst also returns after she took 16th in the high jump at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet last year. “Alec has a great work ethic and attitude and Asia is a great
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FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 10..................................................................................................at Hayfield, 4:30 p.m. April 17............................................................................................at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. April 19....................................................................at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 4 p.m. April 24.................................................................................................at Medford, 4:30 p.m. April 26..................................................................................................at Hayfield, 4:30 p.m. May 1...........................................................................vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Mankato Loyola, Maple River, Medford, New Richland-HEG, Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 4:30 p.m. May 8..................................................................................................at Dover-Eyota, 1 p.m. May 10................................................................................at New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m. May 15.............................................at Gopher Conference Meet in Maple River, 4:30 p.m.
mentor for the younger athletes,” Van Roekel said. “Sam is a great leader in the middle distance events and the high jump.” BP has 18 athletes back from last year’s team, including a strong core of eighth and ninth graders. “The team is looking to improve in its conference and true team standings as well as advance more athletes from sub-sections to sections, and ultimately on to state,” Van Roekel said.
Blooming Prairie’s Sam Wurst competes in the high jump at the Minnesota Class A state track and field meet at Hamline University in St. Paul last season. Herald file photo AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Blossoms look to stay competitive The Blooming Prairie softball team is looking to stay competitive after it turns to a new primary pitcher in the circle this season. BP graduated four-year starting pitcher Elly Struck and five-year starting outfielder Bria Baldwin from last year’s team that went 159 overall, but the Awesome Blossoms bring back nine retiring letter winners to help lead the way. Sophomore Riauna Bishop will likely take over the pitching duties. “Riauna is a returning letter winner who saw some action on the mound last year in some big games,” BP head coach Lonnie Lembke said. “We will be looking to Riauna for the pitching duties this year.” Bishop will have a veteran catcher behind the plate as sophomore Maya Lembke is in her third year as a starter. Maya was an All-Gopher conference selection in each of the last two seasons. “She is a great leader behind the plate and we will look to her experience to help out the younger players and pitchers we have this year,” Lonnie said. BP will also turn to senior veterans McKenna Hein, a pitcher and infielder, Linnea Sunde, a lead-off hitter and outfielder who has been a two-time All-Gopher player and Emma Christianson, a returning starting outfielder. Other key players include sophomore first baseman Julia Worke, sophomore utility player Lila Carlson, sophomore Marti Snyder and freshman third baseman Allison Krohnberg. “Our goal is to finish better than last year, play as a team and be strong at the end when it counts,” Lonnie said. “This team has so much potential. They may be young but
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
BP golfers looking to keep its winning trend going in 2018
Blooming Prairie catcher Maya Lembke in the Section 1A West title game last season. Herald file photo
they are hard workers and are really playing together as a team for this early in the season. Our leadership and work ethic hasreally driven the girls to become better ball players.”
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold April 9........................................................vs. Medford, 4:30 p.m. April 10.....................................................at Maple River, 4:30 p.m. April 12................................vs. United South Central, 4:30 p.m. April 13.................................vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m. April 16........................at Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 4:30 p.m. April 19...................................vs. New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m. April 23........................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 4:30 p.m. April 24........................................................at Saint Clair, 4:30 p.m. April 26......................................................vs. Hayfield, 4:30 p.m. April 3..................................................vs. Maple River, 4:30 p.m. May 1.............................................................at Medford, 4:30 p.m. May 3.........................................at United South Central, 4:30 p.m. May 7....................vs. Waterville-Elysian-Morristown, 4:30 p.m. May 10.........................................at New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m. May 11................................................................at Triton, 4:30 p.m. May 12..............................................................at Randolph, 9 a.m. May 14........................vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 4 p.m. May 15...............................................at Rochester Lourdes, 5 p.m.
The Blooming Prairie boys golf team is hoping to keep a recent boom going and the BP girls are hoping their lone player can make big strides this spring. The Awesome Blossoms have advanced as a team to the Minnesota Class A Boys State Golf Meet in each of the past two years and BP grad Tommy Braaten brought home the individual state title last year. BP returns five letter winners and four of the golfers from last year’s state qualifying team. Jake Ressler should lead the boys team this year. “For the boys, senior Jake Ressler is probably our strongest player,” BP head coach Carl Peterson said. “He was All-Conference last year and he played some good golf last summer. We are looking forward to see what he can do this spring.” The BP girls team will likely feature just one player in freshman Jessica Ressler, a returning All-Conference player from last year. Peterson is hoping the boys can put together another competitive season this season. “We hope to compete for the conference title and see what happens at the section meet,” he said. “We lost our most experienced player to graduation in Tommy Braaten. We will need everyone to pick it up a notch or two to replace Tommy’s scores.”
The Awesome Blossoms boys golf team received a warm welcome into Blooming Prairie last year. Herald file photo
BOYS SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 7.........................................................vs. Hayfield, 9 a.m. April 9........................................................vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m. April 10............................................................at USC, 4:30 p.m. April 12...................................................at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m. April 19......................................................at Stewartville, 2 p.m. April 21.................vs. Alden-Conger, Cannon Falls, Hayfield, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, Maple River, New Richland-HEG, United South Central, 10 a.m. April 24...............................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. April 30...............................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. May 3......................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 4:30 p.m. May 8.......................................at New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m. May 14................................at Gopher Meet in Waseca, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 9.......................................................vs. Triton, 4:30 p.m. April 10......................................................at Stewartville, 2 p.m. April 12..................................................at Blue Earth, 4:30 p.m. April 19...................................at New Richland-HEG, 4:30 p.m. April 24...............................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. April 26......vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, Maple River, New Richland-HEG, United South Central, 4:30 p.m. April 30..........................................................at Triton, 4:30 p.m. May 10..................................at United South Central, 4:30 p.m. May 14..............at Gopher Confernce Meet in Waseca, 10 a.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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Hayfield putting target on the big dance The Hayfield softball team has established itself as a state power over the last three years and now the Vikings are hoping to take the next step as they bring back the bulk of the roster from last year’s team that went 19-8 overall and finished fourth place in the Minnesota Class A State Softball Tournament. Hayfield has a huge senior class and most of those players have played a big role in the Vikings advancing to the last three state tournaments. Senior outfielder Maggie Streightiff, who hit .402 with six homers and 33 RBIs last season, said there is a big sense of urgency for Hayfield. “It’s really sad being our last year, but it’s kind of our motivator to put everything out there to have fun and try our best,” Streightiff said. “This is a really fun group.” Streightiff and Olivia Matti, who hit .365 last season, will both be vocal leaders for the Vikings. “At any time, each of the seniors can be that leader,” said Hayfield head coach Jana Wagner, who is in her 21st year as head coach. “They have learned to lean on each other when the other person isn't having the day they want. Maggie Streightiff and Olivia Mattie are both calming influences on the team.” Much of Hayfield’s seniors have played on varsity since they were freshmen. Second baseman Kyal Heydt hit .422 with seven homers and 33 RBIs last season, first baseman Kate Kruger hit .386 with six homers and 37 RBIs last season, shortstop Carrie Rutledge hit .553 with 14 extra base hits and 29 RBIs last season and outfielder Lexi Dudycha hit .348 with 20 RBIs last season. “The entire team has had the experience in the postseason,” Wagner said. “We need to stay healthy and continue to improve to accomplish that again.” Hayfield will lean on freshman Cailtyn Hendrickson, who had an ERA of 5.88 last
The Hayfield girls softball team celebrates its come-from-behind win in the quarterfinals of the Minnesota Class A State Softball Tournament last season. Herald file photo season, and senior Jacie Gustine in the circle and freshman Jenna Jacobsen, who hit .407 with 24 RBIs last season, is back as well. “As a team we always want to have fun while playing the game,” Wagner said. “Success breeds fun and excites more girls to play softball. We again want to continue to improve and get back to state.”
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold April 9........................................................at Pine Island, 4:30 p.m. April 10....................................................vs. Randolph, 4:30 p.m. April 12...................................vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 4:30 p.m. April 13.................................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m. April 16.........................................................at Lake City, 4:30 p.m. April 17.............................at Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m. April 19...............................................................at Triton, 4:30 p.m. April 21....................................................................at Byron, 4 p.m. April 23....................................vs. Rochester Lourdes, 4:30 p.m.
Hayfield golfers putting competitors on the links The Hayfield boys golf team is looking towards a productive season on the greens this spring. The Vikings graduated four players from last year’s team and they bring back three players with varsity experience. Sophomore Ethan Koski put in a lot of work over the winter for Hayfield and senior
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Brody Skjverem should also be a leader. “We just want to go out and compete,” said Hayfield head coach Kevin Bronson, who is in his third year as coach. “We have kids that enjoy golf and we’re looking forward to another fun season.” Bronson added that Hayfield’s team is low on numbers this season.
“We just want to go out and compete. We have kids that enjoy golf and we’re looking forward to another fun season.” Kevin Bronson, coach
April 24..................................vs. Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m. April 26.............................................at Blooming Prairie, 4:30 p.m. April 30..................................................at Cannon Falls, 4:30 p.m. May 7......................................vs. Kasson-Mantorville, 4:30 p.m. May 8........................................................vs. Goodhue, 4:30 p.m. May 12........................................Hayfield Tournament, 8:30 a.m. May 15..........................at Watervile-Elysian-Morristown, 4:30 p.m. May 17......................................................at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m.
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 7...vs. Albert Lea, Austin, Belle Plaine, Blooming Prairie, GHEC-TRUMAN, GMLO, Hibbing, LaCrescent, Logan, Pine Island, Rushford-Peterson, Southland, St. Anthony Village, Stewartville, 9 a.m. April 17...............................................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, noon April 20..............................................................at Southland, noon April 21.................................................at Blooming Prairie, 10 a.m. April 24....................................................................at Triton, 1 p.m. April 26..................................................at Cannon Falls, 2:30 p.m. May 3.........................................................at Pine Island, 2:30 p.m. May 14.........................................................at Waseca, 12:30 p.m. May 17........................................................at Rochester, 2:30 p.m. May 22........................................at HVL meet in Rochester, 1 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Spots to fill as Hayfield BB looks ahead to new season Vikings lost 10 seniors to graduation after last season
Hayfield’s Kolby Tapp connects solidly in the Section 1A West playoffs last season. Herald file photo
The Hayfield baseball team will have to replace 10 seniors from a team that almost pulled off a miracle run in last year’s Section 1A tournament. The Vikings, who went 13-13 overall last season, won four straight elimination games to get to the Section 1A championship, but they ended up two wins short of the first state tournament appearance in school history. Hayfield brings back five players from that team, including senior pitcher Zach Nelson, junior Mason Tapp, and sophomores Brady Nelson, Jake Risius and Kolby Tapp, who hit .360 last season.
“Zach Nelson has taken on the leadership role and I see him excelling in that spot this season for us,” said Hayfield head coach Kasey Krekling, who is in his seventh year as head coach. “He is a player that has a good baseball mind, so it is like having another coach on the field.” Krekling said there is a group of younger players ready to step up this season that includes sophomores Luke Dudycha, Patrick Towey, Cater Kyle, Brady Kyle and Dalton Bjornson, freshman Joey Tempel and eighth grader Easton Fritcher. “We have a bunch of young talent,” Krekling said. “These boys have been waiting for their turn behind the ten player senior class we had last season and are ready to show off their talents at the varsity level. While we know we have good young talent, that also
SCHEDULE/Home games in bold April 3..........................................at Kasson-Mantorville [canceled] April 5................................................................vs. Byron, 4 p.m. April 9.......................................................at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. April 10.......................at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, 4:30 p.m. April 12........................................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 4:15 p.m. April 16.............................................vs. Cannon Falls, 4:30 p.m. April 17.....................vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, 5 p.m. April 19....................................................vs. Goodhue, 4:15 p.m. April 21.......................................at Triton, doubleheader at 11 a.m. April 24.......................................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m. April 26........................................vs. Rochester Lourdes, 4 p.m. April 27.......................................vs. Blooming Prairie, 4:15 p.m. April 30.................................................vs. Pine Island, 4:30 p.m. May 1...........................................................at Lake City, 4:30 p.m. May 7.........................................at Kenyon-Wanamingo, 4:30 p.m. May 8..........................................at Zumbrota-Mazeppa, 4:15 p.m. May 11.................................................vs. Lyle-Pacelli, 4:30 p.m. May 15.......................................................at Cannon Falls, 7 p.m. May 17.........................................................at Goodhue, 4:15 p.m.
means we go through our growing pains this year as many of them are getting their first full season of varsity experience.”
Hayfield putting plenty of talent back on the track The Hayfield track and field team has plenty of athletes back with varsity experience as it looks to continue making strides. Hayfield head coach Kellie Baker said the girls team is looking to improve as much as it can throughout the season as it brings back 23 athletes with varsity experience, including senior Katrina Thoe, who took 13th in discus at the Minnesota Class A State Track and Field Meet last season. “We have a decent size group of seniors so I think they'll really step up this year,” said Baker, who is in her 11th year at the helm. “We also have a handful of newer athletes out for the
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
first time for track that are older. I believe the seniors will just kind of take them under their wings. Even the past couple of days stretching, you see athletes really starting to take charge and be leaders.” The Hayfield boys will look to the senior core of Anthony Johnston, Jacob Reynolds, Kyle Jacobsen, Masen Walsh, Steven Miner and Tucker Cordle to lead the way. Hayfield’s athletes are hoping to push to improve throughout the year. “Overall, we as coaches just want to make sure we do our best to help the athletes improve and meet their personal records,” Baker
SCHEDULE/Home meets in bold April 10........vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, Blooming Prairie, GMLOKS, Lyle-Pacelli, Medford, New Richland-HEG, Pine Island, 4:30 p.m. April 17...........................................................at Stewartville, 4:30 p.m. April 21..........................................................at Pine Island, 10:30 a.m. April 26.........vs. Faribault Bethlehem Academy, Blooming Prairie, Kasson-Mantorville, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Lyle-Pacelli, Rochester Lourdes, Triton, 4:30 p.m. May 8...................................................................at Dover-Eyota, TBA May 12................................................HVL Meet in Hayfield, 10 a.m. May 18....................................................................at Triton, 4:30 p.m.
said. “We want everyone's season to be a rewarding opportunity and experience no matter if this is their first year out or their last being a senior.”
Kristina Thoe. Herald file photo
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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Riverland baseball and softball schedules Baseball
March 10..............Riverland 6, Bismarck State 0; Riverland 6, Bismarck State 3 March 11.................Williston State 9, Riverand 2; Williston State 4, Riverland 2 March 12......................Riverland 6, Dawson 5; Riverland 12, Cornell College 7 March 14.......Riverland 10, Mayville St. Univ. 2; Riverland 22, Cornell College 1 March 16........Riverland 3, Lake Region St. 2; Riverland 11, Lake Region St. 1 April 8...............................................................................at Central Lakes, noon April 14.............................................................at RCTC, doubleheader at 1 p.m.
Softball
March 19...........................................................Lake Region St. 27, Riverland 0; Riverland 18, RCTC 10; Rainy River 7, Riverland 0 March 20............................................................Anoka-Ramsey 14, Riverland 0; Lake Region State 19, Riverland 4; Rainy River 14, Riverland 4 March 30......................................................................St. Cloud 17, Riverland 1 April 3............................................vs. Minnesota West, doubleheader at 3 p.m. April 6..............................................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, doubleheader at 2 p.m. April 7................................................vs. St. Cloud Tech., doubleheader at noon
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April 15................................................at Anoka-Ramsey, doubleheader at noon April 20...........................................vs. Minnesota West, doubleheader at 1 p.m. April 28............................................at Minnesota West, doubleheader at 1 p.m. April 29...........................................................vs. RCTC, doubleheader at 1 p.m. May 6................................................vs. Anoka-Ramsey, doubleheader at noon May 10...............................................vs. Central Lakes, doubleheader at 2 p.m.
April 10.............................................................at RCTC, doubleheader at 3 p.m. April 13...................................................at Fergus Falls, doubleheader at 3 p.m. April 20.........................................at St. Cloud Tech., doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. April 21................................................at Anoka-Ramsey, doubleheader at noon April 24.............................................at Minnesota West, doubleheader at 3 p.m. April 27.................................................vs. Fergus Falls, doubleheader at 3 p.m. May 3..............................................................vs. RCTC, doubleheader at 3 p.m.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
Gopher Baseball Feb. 16........................Georgia Tech 3, Gophers 2 Feb. 17...................Gophers 9, Kennesaw State 3 Gophers 11, Kennesaw State 8 Feb. 18........................Georgia State 9, Gophers 6 Feb. 22..............Minnesota Twins EX 2, Gophers 1 Snowbird Classic Feb. 23....................Gophers 14, Boston College 1 Feb. 24.....................Gophers 16, Chicago State 5 Feb. 25.................Gophers 16, Mount St. Mary’s 5 Feb. 27................Gophers 3, NorthDakota State 1 Feb. 28...............Gophers 1, South Dakota State 0 DQ Classic/Big Ten-Pac 12 Challenge March 2..........................Gophers 3, Arizona 2 (12) March 3...................Washington 6, Gophers 4 (10) March 4...................................UCLA 6, Gophers 1 March March March March March March March March March March
6.................................Gophers 5, Omaha 3 7.....................Gophers 5, UW-Milwaukee 4 9.............................Creighton 7, Gophers 3 10...........................Creighton 7, Gophers 3 11.........................Gophers 15, Creighton 1 13.........Gophers 12, George Washington 5 14.....................UT Arlington 13, Gophers 5 16....................................Gophers 6, TCU 3 17..................Gophers at TCU [suspended] 18............................TCU 5, Gophers 4 (13) Gophers 8, TCU 0 March 23............................Gophers 5, Nebraska 1 March 24............................Nebraska 8, Gophers 2
March 25............................Gophers 2, Nebraska 0 March 29.........................St. John’s 11, Gophers 5 March 30...........................Gophers 9, St. John’s 8 March 31...........................Gophers 6, St. John’s 3 April 3...............Gophers at Saint Louis [cancelled] April 4...............Gophers at Saint Louis [cancelled] April 6......................................vs. Penn State TBA April 7......................................vs. Penn State TBA April 8......................................vs. Penn State TBA April 10...................vs. North Dakota State, 4 p.m. April 13........................................at Purdue, 5 p.m. April 14........................................at Purdue, 5 p.m. April 15......................................at Purdue, 11 a.m. April 17...................vs. South Dakota State, 6 p.m. April 20.....................................vs. Iowa, 6:30 p.m. April 21..........................................vs. Iowa, 2 p.m. April 22..........................................vs. Iowa, 1 p.m. April 27.............................at Ohio State, 5:35 p.m. April 28.............................at Ohio State, 2:05 p.m. April 29...........................at Ohio State, 12:05 p.m. May 2..........................................vs. Bethel, 6 p.m. May 4...................................vs. Indiana, 6:30 p.m. May 5........................................vs. Indiana, 2 p.m. May 6........................................vs. Indiana, 1 p.m. May 11.....................vs. Michigan State, 6:30 p.m. May 12...........................vs. Michigan State, 2 p.m. May 13...........................vs. Michigan State, 1 p.m. May 15...............................at St. John’s, 2:30 p.m. May 17.........................................at Rutgers, noon May 18.........................................at Rutgers, noon May 19................................at Rutgers, 10:30 a.m. May 23...................................Big Ten Tournament June 1.......................................NCAA Tournament
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW
University of Minnesota’s and Hayfield grad Dani Wagner
Gopher Softball
UNLV SportCo Kickoff Classic Feb. 9.........................Gophers 8, Southern Utah 5 Gophers 8, Utah Valley 3 Feb. 10...............Gophers 4, North Dakota State 0 Gophers 3, UNLV 0 Feb. 11..............................Gophers 7, Creighton 3 B1G/ACC Challenge Feb. 16.........................Florida State 3, Gophers 2 Feb. 17...........................Notre Dame 6, Gophers 5 Florida State 9, Gophers 3 Feb. 8............................Notre Dame 3, Gophers 0 Diamond 9 Citrus Classic Feb. 23...............................Gophers 2, Kentucky 1 Gophers 13, South Alabama 3 Feb. 24..................................Gophers 4, Bradley 0 Gophers 5, Lehigh 1 Feb. 25................................Gophers 5, Duke 1 (8) San Diego Classic I March 2........................Gophers 4, Oregon State 1 San Diego State 6, Gophers 2 March 3................Long Beach State 1, Gophers 0 UCLA 12, Gophers 4 March 4...................................Gophers 5, UCLA 3 March 9.......................Arizona State 6, Gophers 0 GCU Invitational March 10..................Gophers 8, Georgetown 0 (6) Gophers 10, Grand Canyon 2
March 11................Arizona State 9, Gophers 1 (5) Arizona State 4, Gophers 0 March 14..........................Gophers 1, Arizona 0 (8) March 16..............New Mexico State 3, Gophers 0 March 17..............Gophers 7, New Mexico State 0 Gophers 15, New Mexico State 5 March 23......................Northwestern 3, Gophers 2 March 24............Northwestern 11, Gophers 10 (8) March 25................Gophers 8, Northwestern 0 (5) March 30.................................Gophers 6, Illinois 0 Gophers 6, Illinois 0 April 1....................................vs. Illinois [cancelled] April 6..............................at Michigan State, 3 p.m. April 7................................at Michigan State, noon April 8................................at Michigan State, noon April 13............................................at Iowa, 5 p.m. April 14............................................at Iowa, 2 p.m. April 15............................................at Iowa, 1 p.m. April 18..................................vs. Wisconsin, 4 p.m. vs. Wisconsin, 6 p.m. April 20..............................vs. Nebraska, 6:30 p.m. April 21...................................vs. Nebraska, 1 p.m. April 22...................................vs. Nebraska, 3 p.m. April 25...................vs. North Dakota State, 4 p.m. vs. North Dakota State, 6 p.m. April 27........................................at Purdue, 5 p.m. April 28........................................at Purdue, 2 p.m. April 29......................................at Purdue, 11 a.m. May 2..........vs. University of South Dakota, 4 p.m. May 4...................................vs. Penn State, 6 p.m. May 5...................................vs. Penn State, 1 p.m. May 6...................................vs. Penn State, 1 p.m. May 10-12..............................Big Ten Tournament May 18, 25, June 1..................NCAA Tournament
FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2018
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The Bruins’ Josef Mysak heads into the boards during the first period against the Minnesota Magicians at Riverside Arena.
In Frame Austin’s Dante Sheriff gets an open look in the second period against Minot at Riverside Arena.
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As the Austin Bruins gear up for the playoffs against the Minnesota Wilderness, we take a quick look back at some memorable shots from the regular season. Herald file photos
Austin Bruins goalie Mads Sogaard knocks the puck away during the first period against Coulee Region at Riverside Arena.
AUSTIN DAILY HERALD - SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW