softball

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

PINE RIVER — Last season was a “learning year” for the Pine RiverBackus softball team.

This spring we will find out how much the Tigers learned with 11 letterwinners, including all of the starters, back for the orange and black.

“We have a solid senior class with every starter returning,” said Ben Kinser, who is starting his second season with PR-B. “We’re hoping to improve off of a great learning year.”

Those letterwinners include: Ashley Shamp, Tori Koering, Neveah Middendorf, Kaitlyn Rilea, Ariana Burns, Caylei Johnson, Sawyer Tulenchik, Aaliyah Lewis, Mady Knapp, Julie Shogren and Abbi Gilbert. Others who could contribute are Brooklin Mills and

Softball

BY PETE MOHS Echo Journal

LAKES —

PEQUOT

The Pequot Lakes Patriots softball team has just four letterwinners from last year’s squad that advanced to the Class 2A state tournament, but they all played key roles in helping the Patriots finish 24-5 overall.

Those returning players include: senior infielder/outfielder Kelsi Martini, a three-year letterwinner who batted .296 with 25 runs scored and 21 runs batted in; senior outfielder Kessa Eggert, .326 average, 19 runs and 19 RBI; senior outfielder/ pitcher Rian Zutter, .270 average with eight runs and seven RBI; and sophomore pitcher Georgia James, .298 average with 10 runs and 10 RBI.

Last year, Martini was an All-Section 6-2A selection, All-Mid-State Conference and the team’s Golden Glove winner, while Eggert was all-conference, Pequot Lakes’ Most Improved player and Patriot Award winner. “Kelsi (Martini) and Kessa (Eggert) should provide veteran leadership,” said Pequot Lakes coach Bret Sergent, who has 401 career wins in 32 seasons with the Patriots. “Rian (Zutter) and Georgia (James) will also help provide stability as we join the Granite Ridge Conference this year.”