The Vikings’ fast pitch softball team will be led by four experienced seniors this year (L-R) Bethany Derschied, Trace McQuatters (front), Madison Roy, Alex Slanga (front). Twenty-two players came out for softball.
Viking Softball Coach Jessie Anderson welcomed 22 girls out for fast pitch softball this season, and she said she will field a team that is a mix of young and older players. The team will rely heavily on those older players as the season begins.
Leading the way will be four seniors: Alex Slanga, once again the team’s top pitcher; catcher/pitcher Madison “Maddy” Roy, who is also the team’s leading hitter; Trace McQuatters, who also pitches and plays outfield; and Bethany Derschied, who will play in right field but also has some experience in the infield.
Junior twins Mariah and Miranda Deschampe are also strong infielders who can hit for power. “Both Mariah and Miranda have been looking really good this spring,” said Anderson, who is in her 11th year coaching at CCHS.
“We have a lot of potential,” Anderson said. “A lot of the kids seem to be evenly talented, so it will be up to them to see who will work a little harder to see who will earn playing time.”
Sophomore Abby Prom will probably see some action at first base, said Anderson, while Abbie Crawford, an eighth-grader, will be competing for playing time on the left side of the infield.
“Hannah Toftey will start out pitching for the J.V. but she is quick enough to play in the outfield. Alyssa Spry is looking really good right now. She is very versatile and she can help us in the infield or outfield. Jamie Johnson and Hanna Borson both have been looking solid and both will get playing time. Sophie Eliasen is back after not playing for a few years. She will definitely run for us as a courtesy runner for either the catcher or pitcher. I can see her being a good center fielder after she gets some playing time on the J.V.
“We aren’t set yet on who will play second or shortstop. There’s still plenty of competition for positions. One thing we are working hard on is our hitting. We need to hit better to win games. If a kid can hit, we will definitely find a spot for them in the rotation,” Anderson said.
Juniors Hannah Vander Heiden and Sarah Smith, sophomore Harleigh Lindquist, freshman Emma Smith, and eighth-graders Bianca Zimmer and Kasey Johnson are also in the mix for playing time.
Because of the snow that recently returned, the athletes are practicing in the gym, showing a lot of hustle as they glove balls off the gym floor and perfect their swing in the batting cage. Anderson longs for the day her players can get outside to practice. That probably won’t happen until their doubleheader scheduled for Friday, April 8 at Two Harbors, weather permitting. The next day the team will travel to the Cities to watch the Golden Gophers women’s fast pitch softball team play Illinois in a matchup of Division 1 powers.
If the snow leaves the field, the girls’ first home game is scheduled for April 14 against Cromwell at 4:30 p.m.
Leave a Reply