25’ Softball Season in Preview
By Brynn Schwartz
During the pre-season the softball team focused on the fundamentals of softball and improving their ability to make routine plays.
“I’m looking forward to this season because we return several starters from last year’s team, and I believe that if we can elevate our play, we can be successful,” Grant King, head softball coach says.
Although the softball team graduated three seniors, Aubrey Hanson, Alexis Sporleder, and Shaylee Gardner, who left a big impact on the team, the team welcomed new players Eleanor Bauermeister, Joslynn Kraft, Athena Bretschneider, Kinley Hilkemann, and Reniya Miller.
They have an additional young group of incoming players who have already played quite a bit softball and being able to add them to the roster will make the team even stronger.
King is very excited about their new coaching staff. Coach Ryan Ohnoutka, one of the assistant coaches, came to Pierce from a successful Hastings St. Cecilia program, where he served as head coach and led the team to multiple state appearances. He has already done great things this season, even with the team just getting started. Coach Mike Emory, another assistant coach, has also served as a head coach in the past.
“He (Emory) brings valuable experience and knowledge of the game that the girls will benefit from greatly, and I’m glad to have him back in the dugout,” King says.
Hayle DeBoer, another assistant coach, is a Pierce alum who also brings a wealth of knowledge about the game to the team.
The team has 13 players on the roster this season.
