This season’s edition of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn softball features a large number of underclassmen but at the core is an experienced group of veterans. “We have a decent amount of experience returning this summer and have a few girls who will step into some varsity roles that helped some last year,” reported Hawk head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “Our numbers are great this year and we look forward to watching the underclassmen grow.”
Seniors Kamryn Ebel, Gracie Knobloch, Frankie Mohni, Addison Sheeler and Eliza Tewes and junior Lindsey Van Es were all in last year’s starting lineup. The underclassmen include sophomores Reese Croatt, Kynlee Dolphin, Mahkenzie Mattingly, Ava Shriver and Cammy Wilson and freshmen Stella Anderson, Addily Benz, Natalie Dagel, Keely Ebel, Kate Gellerman, Jenna Hengeveld, Mallory Pearson, Lexi Schmillen, Kaidence Shaffer, Laura Vargas, Ava Vogt, Olivia Williams and Kaelyn Wingert.
Bronstad likes the mix of experience and youth. “Our strength this year will be the experience our upperclassmen have, I believe, and also the excitement to the game the underclassmen have,” said the coach. She also mentioned what needs attention. “We always need to keep improving on our communication skills and staying tough for seven innings,” Bronstad said.
Barb Haag is assisting Bronstad again this year. The coaches and players have been at it for a awhile preparing for the season. “The first two weeks we have focused a lot on batting and working the mental game,” noted the leader of the Hawks recently. “Pitchers and catchers have been working on and off since January. We are excited to have all of them this week now that track is over.”
There are several pitching arms at the Hawks’ disposal this season. Said Bronstad, “We have four of our pitchers returning: Gracie Knobloch, Kamryn Ebel, Lexi Schmillen and Cammy Wilson. Freshman Kaidence Shaffer has also been working in the off season.” It is Knobloch and Ebel who have by far the greatest number of innings in the books. “Gracie and Kamryn will do the majority of the varsity pitching but I wouldn’t count out Lexi or Cammy seeing a little varsity time this year,” said their coach.
There is an ongoing effort to get some run support for whichever pitcher is toeing the rubber. “We know we can always improve on batting,” remarked Bronstad. “We need to offensively stay strong every inning and continue to work our short game.”
When offering comments for this preview, Bronstad noted that there was still some uncertainty as to what the team’s defensive lineup would look like. “We have some spots we still are unsure of right now and hoping this week will help determine that, having all of the girls at practice,” she said. “Like previous years we will have a few girls who will move around depending who is on the mound.”
When asked which teams she sees as favorites in the War Eagle Conference, the coach responded. “I am sure Hinton will be at the top of the conference along with Akron.” HMS was seventh in the WEC last year and Bronstad is looking to improve upon that. “Our goal is to finish in the top five of the conference this year,” she stated.

HMS Softball Schedule

Coaches: Stephanie Bronstad, Barb Haag
All games JV/Varsity unless otherwise noted
Wednesday, May 28, MMCRU, at Remsen, 5:30
Friday, May 30, Harris-Lake Park, conf., home, 5:30
Monday, June 2, South O’Brien, conf., home, 5:30
Wednesday, June 4, Trinity Christian, home, 5:30
Friday, June 6, Gehlen Catholic, conf., at Le Mars, 5:30
Saturday, June 7, Varsity Tourney, at Sheldon, 9:00 a.m.
Monday, June 9, Akron-Westfield, conf., home, 5:30
Wednesday, June 11, Hinton, conf., at Hinton, 5:30
Friday, June 13, George-Little Rock, conf., home, 5:30
Monday, June 16, Remsen St. Mary’s, conf., at Remsen, 5:30
Tuesday, June 17, Emmetsburg, at Emmetsburg, 5:30
Wednesday, June 18, Gehlen Catholic, home, 5:30
Friday, June 20, West Sioux, conf., home, 5:30
Wednesday, June 25, Harris-Lake Park, at Lake Park, 5:30
Friday, June 27, MMCRU, conf., home, 5:30
Saturday, June 28, Central Lyon Tourney, at Rock Rapids, 10:00 a.m.
Monday, June 30, South O’Brien, at Paullina, 5:30
Tuesday, July 1, GTRA, at Ruthven, 5:30
Wednesday, July 2, Trinity Christian, conf., at Hull, 4:30
Thursday, July 3, Alta-Aurelia, home, 5:30