The Northland Pines High School softball team, under second-year head coach Melissa Ryan, has been busy preparing for the upcoming new season.
The Pines girls did not win a game last season, so the focus this year is quite apparent.
With a team full of experienced players, eight players of the 13-player roster are returning letterwinners.
They are: senior Nevaeh Harden-Lopez, junior Tatum Mullins and sophomores Izzy Stenschke, Aubrie Gosnel, Katie Baril, Marissa Jones, Jordan Cain and Lily Wilson.
“We have a lot of girls coming back, and they are hungry to win,” stated coach Ryan. “There are areas where I know we can grow and improve this team.”
“Izzy has a great swing and had a great batting average (.424),” noted coach Ryan. “She has a passion for the game, and it’s great fun to watch her.”
Ryan is also looking for improvement in her team’s pitching success. They have depth in the circle, but Ryan knows there are strides to be made this season and is optimistic about who she can call on.
“Pitching is the name of the game and that’s why it’s good to have Jordan back, along with Kaitlynn and Nevaeh,” said Ryan. “All three girls are working extremely hard to up our pitching game this year.”
Overall, Ryan is very encouraged by what she has seen in practice, as the team now has about a week’s worth of practice time.
“It’s amazing to see how many sophomores we have out this year and how much they have grown and how excited they are for this season. They really could take this program in a positive direction,” she said.
The Great Northern Conference was up a season ago, with four of the seven teams posting an above .500 record in conference play.
Coach Ryan feels perennial power Mosinee will repeat as GNC softball champion this season
The Eagles are scheduled to open up the season at home against Antigo in a Great Northern Conference (GNC) game on Tuesday, April 7, at 5 p.m.
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