Youth will be served in this summer’s edition of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn softball. Only three of the returning regulars are upperclassmen. Those would be senior Bailey VerHelst and juniors Abby Kunzman and Cadence Klein. Also returning are freshmen Gracie Knobloch and Eliza Tewes. Two players who entered to run the bases, junior Morgan Grooters and sophomore Abby Otto are back this year as well. The team numbers 20 players in all.
“I lost half of my field last year to graduating seniors,” noted HMS head coach Stephanie Bronstad. “Right now we are young which means we can really mold younger players into the positions.”
In addition to that aspect, Bronstad sees the players who enter the pitchers’ circle as a strength of the team. “Our pitching will be leading the team with five girls who worked hard in the off-season,” declared the coach. “Three of them will see varsity time. Who is pitching will determine how we will fill the rest of the field. We feel very positive about the ability of our pitchers and their confidence on the mound.”
Bronstad, who will be assisted again this year by Barb Haag, has been pleased with the team practices. “We have been focusing a lot on fundamentals and situational awareness with a young team,” she said. “The scrimmage against Okoboji went well. The bats looked good and the pitching was on point.”
Those practices will continue to influence who takes the field for the Hawks and at what position. “At this point (prior to last Monday’s first game of the season), I have an idea of who will go where but still have a few spots to fill,” Bronstad said. “The girls are working hard on learning multiple positions. Again, our defense will be determined by who is on the mound.”