With more seasoned squad, Bulldogs looking to rise in conference rankings
Members of the MFL MarMac softball team are (front, left to right) Hannah Jacobson, Kytlee Warrington, Jerica Wille, Katelyn Gerndt, Ayla Gerndt, Emily Hendrickson-Troester, Kaitlin Picha, Autumn Shaw, Emme Wikner, Grace Palas; (middle) Emma Driscoll, Kacie Picha, Garnett Niedziejko, Lauryn Sandstrom; (back) assistant coach Gene Gerndt, Kaylee Baker, Veda Torkelson, Kensey Ball, Mattie Hallberg, Hailey Bouzek and head coach LeVirgil Monroe. Not pictured is assistant coach Venessa Rose. (Photos by Audrey Posten)
Emily Hendrickson-Troester pitches in MFL MarMac's loss to Midland.
Garnett Niedziejko catches pitcher Emily Hendrickson-Troester in the May 22 game.
Kacie Picha connects with a pitch against the Eagles.
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
MFL MarMac softball coach LeVirgil Monroe hopes a year of experience getting back to the basics and fostering a positive mindset will have the Bulldogs poised for success this season.
The team finished in the middle of the Upper Iowa Conference pack in 2023, and Monroe said the goal is to move up in the rankings and challenge the likes of South Winneshiek and North Fayette Valley.
The Bulldogs will do so with four returning seniors, including starting pitcher Emily Hendrickson-Troester, who threw 123 innings a year ago.
“It’s wonderful to have our starting pitcher from last year. That’s always a plus in softball,” he said.
Also back are senior center fielder Ayla Gerndt, second baseman Katelyn Gerndt and third baseman Kaitlin Picha. Second team all-conference shortstop Emme Wikner, who’s just a freshman, returns in 2024, as does junior first baseman Autumn Shaw. Fellow junior Garnett Niedziejko is taking over as catcher.
“We’re really impressed with her,” Monroe said.
Some younger athletes are vying for playing time in the corner outfield spots.
Overall, the coach noted, “We’re looking at a more seasoned team than we’ve had. A lot of girls last year were players from the year before, but they just needed to be seasoned into a team. They are really starting to mould themselves really well now.”
Because of this, Monroe believes chemistry is MFL MarMac’s strong suit.
On the flip side, a struggle from last season which he hopes the Bulldogs can overcome in 2024 is giving up big-run innings late in games. A key to success will be maintaining composure through all seven innings.
“It’s just how well we are able to navigate an entire game,” Monroe stated. “I’m excited about the season. It has strong possibilities. It’s just going to be whether or not we believe. If we believe and put in the effort, who knows what can happen.”
How MFL MarMac performs now lays the foundation for future teams, he added.
“If future years say, ‘They did it last year, we can do more than that.’ That’s how you build. Always trying to one-up,” he said.
Bulldogs fall to Midland and New Hampton
The MFL MarMac softball team dropped its first two games of the season last week, in non-conference losses to Midland and New Hampton.
The Eagles broke a 3-3 tie with two runs in the top of the sixth inning during the May 22 season opener, then tacked on five more in the seventh to beat the Bulldogs 10-3.
Midland cranked out 10 hits and also reached base twice on errors, in addition to swiping six bases. Eagle starter Anna Bartels limited MFL MarMac to four hits and three walks in seven innings and struck out eight batters.
The Bulldogs were held to just two hits the following night, in a 12-0 loss at New Hampton. The Chickasaws belted 11 hits, including six for extra bases, and reached five times on errors. They did most of their damage in an eight-run fourth inning.
Next up, MFL MarMac will host Decorah on May 29, a makeup game from last week. They will play in a tournament at North Fayette Valley over the weekend.
