PREVIEW: Experienced lineup means high hopes for Panthers

Published by admin on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 9:03am

The Monticello varsity softball team, first row from left: Sami McElmeel, Gabi Barnhart, Katie Roher, Lauren Verhagen and Haili Schlarmann. Second row: Kinzi Schlarmann, Brea Stahlberg, Hailey Henderson, Madilynn Kromminga, Keziah McQuillen, Jaelyn Aitchison, Jordan Fangmann and Mya Hansen. Not pictured are head coach Bret McDonald and assistant coach Stacie Breitbach. (Photo by Pete Temple)
SOFTBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

   Perhaps the most noticeable thing in the on-paper analysis of this year’s Monticello High School softball team is the number of returning players.

   Seven starters are back, including three All-River Valley Conference players, which would appear to give the Panthers an excellent chance of improving over last year’s 9-19 record, which included an RVC mark of 5-9.

   “We only have two new players, so experience is a positive,” ninth-year head coach Bret McDonald said.

   The coach and players are keeping this year’s goals simple.

   “Our biggest goal is to play hard each and every game and never be outhustled,” he said. “We have to control what we can control, and if we do those little things that win close games, the team will be successful.”

   Several Monticello players enjoyed success last season. Senior shortstop Jaelyn Aitchison made the North Division all-conference team after batting a team-high .409 with two home runs, eight doubles and 22 runs batted in.

   Also on the all-conference list were senior catcher Katie Roher, who hit .333 with a home run, a triple, 10 doubles and 14 RBIs. Junior centerfielder Keziah McQuillen, who was voted best defensive player on last year’s team, also made the North Division squad.

   Junior Jordan Fangmann is the top returning pitcher, having posted an earned run average of 3.64 and striking out 50 batters in 77 innings. At the plate, Fangmann batted .287 with two triples, six doubles and 13 RBIs.

   Also on the returning starter list are senior first baseman/pitcher Brea Stahlberg, junior outfielder Sami McElmeel, and sophomore third baseman Madilynn Kromminga.

   Coach McDonald said keys to this season’s hopes will be “staying positive when things aren’t going your way, the mental toughness of the game, and communication between players.”

   The Panthers play in a competitive conference, which started the season with a pair of ranked teams, Cascade and Northeast of Goose Lake. RVC newcomers Dyersville Beckman and Maquoketa could factor in, as well.

   Stacie Breitbach is the varsity assistant and junior varsity coach; Andrea Bone coaches the seventh-grade team.

 

 

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