Hilltopper softball team enters season with a young roster

By Kelsie Hoitomt

GLENWOOD CITY — The Glenwood City girls’ softball team will step onto the field with quite a young team. For the first time in at least 14 years, there are no seniors on the current roster for the Hilltoppers. This leaves just five juniors and five sophomores to lead the team and seven freshman.

The Toppers lost four seniors to graduation including pitcher/catcher duo Rhonda Ross and Frankie Munkwitz as well as infielders McKenna Newton and Kayla Utecht. The team also lost two of its players who were juniors last season, which resulted in the lack of any senior players.

Returning starters are juniors Megan Samens and Kelly Perkins as well sophomore Leslie Ludtke who will be the starting pitcher this year. Hannah Ludtke, Nikki Gabbert, Mikaela Voeltz and Bailey Britton all had some varsity experience last year and look to again this season as well.

New to the team are juniors McKenzie Kruse and Camilee Olive as well as freshmen Carlee Strong, Taylor Brittain, Winter McIntyre, Morgan Gedatus, Allison Curvello, Ellen Lindquist and Savannah Kessler.

“We have a core group of 12 that have a lot of potential. We have a very strong conference this year with most of the teams returning a majority of their lineups from last season. The girls know what they are facing and that it is going to take a lot of work and confidence in order for them to compete in the DSC,” shared head coach Matthew Schutz.

Schutz, who has coached the softball team for 14 years, will be assisted by newcomer Kaitlin Webb who takes the place of Jake Score. Webb is a first grade teacher at the Glenwood City Elementary. Also with the team is volunteer coach Rhonda Ross.

Weather permitting, the Toppers are scheduled to play their first game of the season on Tuesday, April 2 in Pepin and then on Monday, April 8 at home against Boyceville with games starting at 5:00 p.m.

Hilltoppers Roster

Juniors: Bailey Britton, Kelly Perkins, Haley Lewis, McKenzie Kruse, Camilee Olive

Sophomores: Megan Samens, Nikki Gabbert, Leslie Ludtke, Hannah Ludtke, Mikaela Voeltz

Freshman: Carlee Strong, Taylor Brittain, Winer McIntyre, Morgan Gedatus, Allison Curvello, Ellen Lindquist, Savannah Kessler