PREVIEW: Eagles look to build, move up


The Midland High School softball team, first row from left: Chiara Dusanek, Jenna Eldred, Taylor Bahnsen, Delanie Uppena and Makenzie Gade. Second row: Kaeti Taylor-Mere, Ella Rupp, Bailie Uppena, Allison Paulsen and Rashelle Cole. Third row: head coach Dustin Klein, Mikayla Dosland, Ari Hacke, Sara Flores, assistant coach Sheri Dosland, Emma Paulsen, Brennah Ricketts, Emma Dusanek and assistant coach Deejay Thompson. (Photo by Pete Temple)
SOFTBALL

     Midland’s softball program is all about building, and that starts with numbers.

     From that standpoint, it’s so far, so good as the Eagles enter into the 2018 season.

     “We are starting to build the numbers up to bring back the program,” third-year coach Dustin Klein said.

     Midland went 0-23 in 2017. There are 16 girls out for softball at Midland for the summer season, and along with the coaching staff, they have some obvious goals:

     “Wins, and to show improvement from last year to this year,” Klein said.

     It will help that eight letter-winners are back, including the team’s top two hitters. Junior catcher Delanie Uppena batted .289, and sophomore shortstop Taylor Bahnsen hit .280 a year ago.

     Also back are junior center fielder Emma Dusanek, who led the team in stolen bases with 21; and senior pitcher/shortstop Emma Paulsen, who had a team-high four doubles.

     Rounding out the letter-winner list are junior infielder/pitcher Mikayla Dosland, junior first baseman Sara Flores, freshman third baseman Ari Hacke, and freshman outfielder Ella Rupp.

     Emma Paulsen and Dosland will anchor the pitching staff, but will have help from eighth-grader Allison Paulsen.

     “I feel Allison will be a good addition,” Klein said. “She will be a good reliever for our starting pitchers.”

     The Eagles will compete in a tough Tri-Rivers Conference that includes likely favorites North Linn and Lisbon.

     “We may be toward the lower half of the conference, but will move up in it,” Klein said.

     He is assisted by Sheri Dosland and Deejay Thompson.

     

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