Lady Bulldogs return several starters to ball diamond for the 2022 softball season

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by Marlys Kruger

Sports Correspondent

BOYCEVILLE — Although the Boyceville softball team lost both middle infielders through graduation last year, the team has plenty of players with varsity experience back for the upcoming season.

Gone are shortstop and Second Team All Dunn-St. Croix Conference pick Kady Grambow, along with second baseman Mya Lagerstrom. Both were solid infielders and were two of the teams leading hitters in 2021.

After an overall record of 9-13 last season, head coach Jamie Olson, now in his 12th season, will have several players looking to improve on that record this year. Libby Bygd was a first team all-conference selection last year, batting .365 and should be one of the top catchers in the area, according to Olson. Hannah Dunn was a second team all-conference pick and batted .442 for the team, while all-conference honorable mention player Ella Holden, the team’s pitcher who struck out 120 batters last season, also batted .250 with four home runs.

Harper Olson returns to third base after posting a .192 batting average, along with Olivia Ponath who played left field and carried a .227 average at the plate. 

Sarah Stoveren played in seven games for the Bulldogs and hopes to patrol center field with Cambrie Reisimer, who was injured last year after playing three games, tries to lock down another spot in the outfield.

After playing in four varsity games in 2021, Jadynn Traxler should see more action due to her potential hitting ability and Ali McRoberts will be doing some pitching this season after having a great junior varsity year and playing one varsity game.

Four sophomores and a solid freshman class of ten made their way to the field and look to contend for some playing time. 

Sophomores include Cora Leslie (1B), Kaitlyn Mittlestadt (3B), Mariah Marvin (IF), and Hailey Stuart-Tollefson (OF). Freshmen vying for positions are Delaney Olson (P/OF), Trisha Berg (C/IF), Abby Bauer (IF), Makayla Nelson (OF), Gracie Gonzalez (OF), Paige Fenton (C), Emily Fetzer (IF), Tori Stender (IF/OF), Tori Burgraff (P/SS) and Emma Dunn (IF).

Coach Olson believes team defense should be a strong point for the Bulldogs this year. 

“We have some young athletic girls that can fill some of our open spots,” he said.

“We also return our senior pitcher and catcher while Hannah Dunn will play shortstop this year which she is very comfortable with. Senior Harper Olson is experienced and back at the hot corner while Olivia Ponath will be at second base where she is quite comfortable, We have the three outfield positions and first base to fill,” he added.

The Bulldogs need to become a better hitting team and strike out less often, which was a weakness a year ago and will be a main focus for the team this year.

Goals for the team are to be able to compete against everyone they play. Coach Olson thinks with good leadership, great attitudes and a tremendous amount of desire to work hard they will accomplish that goal.

Although Elk Mound and Mondovi should be two of the top teams in the conference because of their great returning pitchers, Olson expects the rest of the conference teams should be balanced which will provide for an exciting season. 

2022 Roster

Seniors: Ella Holden, Libby Bygd, Harper Olson.

Juniors: Olivia Ponath, Cambrie Reisimer.

Sophomores: Cora Leslie, Hailey Stuart-Tollefson, Mariah Marvin, Kaitlyn Mittlestadt, Sarah Stoveren, Jadynn Traxler, Hannah Dunn, Ali McRoberts.

Freshmen: Abby Bauer, Trisha Berg, Gracie Gonzalez, Emma Dunn, Paige Fenton, MaKayla Nelson, Tori Burgraff, Tori Stender, Emily Fetzer, Delaney Olson.