Hitting and fielding the softball this season at Pecatonica will be (l-r) front: Managers Brittney Erickson, Lexi Lancaster, Aven Gruenenfelder, Rylie Lancaster, Lola Ula, Rileigh Cullen; middle: Head Coach Tim Lancaster, Kadance Flannery, Brooklyn Muench, Cayla Doescher, Chloe Bocklund, Brooklynn Johnsrud, Tatum Kurschner, Sophia Schwery, Avery Hughes, Maddy Turnquist, Coach Shawn Johnsrud. Back: Coach Jami Cullen, Maddie Meddaugh, Kathryn Salerno, Kiaya York, Lila Schlimgen, Jenna Kurschner, Katelynne Jorenby, Leaha Doescher, Mayce Duerst, Gretta Schraepfer, Samantha Hittesdorf, Taylor Wahl, Coach Jerry Doescher. Missing are: Coaches Tim Osterday and Dana Gruenenfelder.
Second year Pecatonica softball coach Tim Lancaster and the Vikings have one big goal in mind.
The Vikings want to keep the program in improvement mode and give everyone they face a strong challenge.
Last year, Lancaster’s first, the Vikings finished the season 7-19. They were 3-14 in Six Rivers play.
One of the wins was over Southwestern in the first round of Regionals.
“That was a great team win,” Lancaster said. The Vikings were then eliminated by Belmont who went on to become the WIAA Division 5 state champion.
The Vikings will be replacing pitcher Diana Hendrickson and centerfielder Mikaela Gross. Hendrickson was honorable mention all-Six Rivers and Gross won the Sportsmanship Award.
“They were multiple year starters,” Lancaster pointed out. “We will miss their experience.”
Letter winners returning include seniors Brooklyn Johnsrud (c/3b), Chloe Bocklund, (1b), juniors Katelynne Jorenby (ss), Jenna Kurschner (p/2b), Mayce Duerst who is out with an injury and will miss the season, sophomores Lila Schlimgen (of), Gretta Schraepfer (3b/c), Taylor Wahl (of) and Kiana York (of/dp).
Jorenby was the offensive MVP last season and Johnsrud was co-defensive MVP. Tatum Kurschner was the GRIT player.
Lancaster sees junior Leah Doescher along with a group of freshmen as contributors to this season’s success.
Lancaster feels varsity experience and depth will be strong points for the Vikings. However the experience does not include the pitching staff but Lancaster feels they are a good group who will put in the work to get better.
Lancaster sees Barneveld and Belmont as the top teams in the Six Rivers.
“We are in a tough conference and those two teams are solid, well coached programs that finds a way to be at the top season after season,” Lancaster said.
Assisting the Vikings are Jerry
Doescher, Shawn Johnsrud, Tim Osterday, Dana Gruenenfelder and Jami Cullen.
Pecatonica Softball Roster
- Brooklyn Johnsrud. Sr. C/3B
- Tatum Kurschner, Sr, OF/1B
- Chloe Bocklund, Sr, 1B
- Katelynne Jorenby, Jr, SS
- Jenna Kurschner, Jr, P/2B
- Mayce Duerst, Jr, Injured
- Leah Doescher, Jr, U
- Lila Schlimgen, Soph, OF
- Gretta Schraepfer, Soph, 3B/C
- Taylor Wahl, Soph, OF
- Sam Hittesdorf, Soph. P
- Kiaya York, Soph, OF/DP
- Maddie Meddaugh, Fr Avery Hughes, Fr Brooklyn Muensch, Fr Cayla Doescher, Fr