Just a freshman, Alex Slanga turned out be a great find for the Vikings, and big things are expected from her as she develops on the mound. Slanga was on the mound when the softball team upset top-seeded Carlton in the playoffs.
When asked to describe the weather-shortened softball season, Viking Head Coach Jessie Anderson replied, “The season was definitely hardest on the pitchers. We were inexperienced, as you know, with having no pitchers even having had an inning of varsity game experience under their belt.
“The other issue was endurance. Due to our lack of experience it was difficult for them to throw seven innings a game. I do commend all of our pitchers for keeping a great attitude and rolling with the punches throughout the short season. It was a tough situation already, we had lots of sore arms.”
With snow on the ground through most of the season, most practices were held indoors, and all of the games were played in a couple of weeks. It was, according to Anderson, hard all of the way around.
“It was difficult for the outfielders not being able to get in much practice outside. Fly ball practice was very limited this season. It’s very difficult to do in the gym.
One of the best Viking hitters this season was Megan Lehto, showing her sweet hitting stroke here.
“Although the infielders got lots of ground balls indoors, there is a big transition from a gym surface to dirt. We had a young, inexperienced infield this year because of injuries and position changes,” said Anderson.
“Once we started playing games there were so many to fit in there was very little practice time. Then, there is the competition with all of the spring activities—banquets, band concerts, award days, etc. …The kids got pulled in a lot of different ways in May. It’s a tough month even without the crazy game schedule,” said Anderson.
The coach praised her players, noting, “Maddie Roy was our leading hitter, batting .375 with five doubles. She was very consistent for us all season long. Carrie Palmer was our second best hitter and really came on at the end of the season. Megan Lehto really hit the ball well at the end of the season.
“Rachel Wieben was the most solid in the field. We will miss her in that centerfield position. She really helped us out with pitching as well.
“Freshman Alex Slanga got a lot of varsity starts for us on the mound. She did very well and we are excited to have her for three more years. I still don’t think she realizes what a feat it was to come out and beat Carlton.
“Carrie Palmer was our starting second baseman and probably improved the most. She is still working out some of the kinks but is really coming along. Freshman Sara Carman has improved greatly since last year and saw a little varsity time. She has worked hard this season and we look forward to seeing what she can bring to the table next year.
The highlight of the season was the team’s upset first round playoff win against top-rated Carlton.
“In Carlton we scored one run in the second inning and another in the third. We led 2-0 until the sixth inning when they scored four runs. The girls gnarled their teeth and answered back with an 8-run inning. In that inning they walked us four times and we got six hits.
“They came back and got their one and two hitters on, which both scored, but we got three outs. Alex held up to the pressure. We played the best defense we’ve played all season. Maddy threw two runners out at third. We had 11 hits. Sarah Deschampe had two hits, Lexie Palmer had two hits, Alexis Eliasen had two hits and a sacrifice bunt and Megan Lehto had two hits with a double.
“Everyone contributed in this game; it was just so great for these seniors to knock Carlton out after getting pretty beat up by them the last two years.
“I was very proud of them. The next day in Cohasset wasn’t as great but it was great to get there and we were the talk of the complex, the team that beat Carlton!
“We’ve got a lot to look forward to next year,” Coach Anderson said.
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