EM softball team looking for another Conference Championship

by Samuel Ripp

ELK MOUND — Coming off of an undefeated conference record from a year ago, the Mounders might have it a little tougher this year. Elizabeth Schreiber graduated last year and was the Conference Player of the Year along with 1st Team All-District honors and 3rd Team All-State. The Mounders still have a lot of depth in their lineup and look to be very competitive again this year. Head Coach Dylan Pronschinske is looking forward to this season.

Elk Mound has five returning letter winners from a year ago that look to lead this team. The seniors and juniors include: Abbey Olsen, a shortstop and pitcher, who batted .418 last year; Jade Sorenson, a right fielder, who batted .328 last season; Karie Jo Nigon, a shortstop and pitcher is a .341 average last year; Laruen Scharlau, a first baseman and a .350 average; and Emily Ausman, a third baseman and a .299 hitter from a season ago.

Pronschinske also believes that seniors Krystal Nigon and Hannah Brunner will contribute a lot for the Mounders. Others that could be key contributions to the season are juniors Kirstin Dutzle, Elizabeth Bauer; and sophomores Allison Lindquist, Madysen Borofka, and Sira Shepard.

“Our biggest strength this year is our depth. I believe that I have 14+ girls that have the skills needed to play at the varsity level,” said Pronschinske of his team’s strengths for the year.

“We are a fast team with a bunch of strength. The girls did a great job improving their strength and skills in the offseason,” added Pronschinske.

“I think our biggest weakness is varsity experience on the mound. Abbey Olsen enters this season with the most experience on the mound and getting consistent pitching will be the biggest key to our success this season,” Pronschinske continued.

If the Lady Mounders want to be in a chase for another conference title they will have have to beat some tough opponents that are returning a majority of their players. Pronschinske thinks if they can find consistent pitching throughout the year they will find themselves in the hunt for another conference championship.

Teams that will be looking to dethrone the lady Mounders include Mondovi, Boyceville, and Colfax who all have strong teams.

This is Pronschinske’s third year coaching and has a 40-12 overall record and 31-3 in conference. “We want to be playing our best softball heading into postseason play to help us make a deep run in the tournament,” stated Pronschinske.

Assisting Pronschinske are Samantha Weix and Caron Hanson-Shepard.

Elk Mound Softball Roster

Seniors: Abbey Olsen, Jade Sorenson, Krystal Nigon, Hannah Brunner.

Juniors: Elizabeth Bauer, Baylee Hanson, Kirstin Dutzle, Lauren Scharlau, Emily Ausman, Karie Jo Nigon.

Sophomores: Erin DeLong, Madysen Borofka, Sira Shepard, Allison Lindquist, Crista Sweeney, Taylor Nyren, Carli Bilse.

Freshmen: Qwynn Tyman, Alyssa Lauer, Alexis Lee, Brianna Christenson, Abigail Curry, Amber Gilbertson, Morgan Radtke, DeAnna Leon.