Softball preview: Veteran players will fill Minnewaska roster

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Veterans abound on the Minnewaska softball team for the 2012 season as head coach Steve Hoffman works to add to his 409-142 career record with the Lakers.

Minnewaska did lose four to gradation in Brooke Falk, Audrea Johnson, Jordan Stalker and Hayley Blair, but return nine letter winners, including senior starting pitcher Kaylee Jacobs, senior second baseman Kaylyn Oberg, senior first baseman Jillian Hendrickson, senior outfielder Brooke Winter and senior shortstop Courtney Schmidt.

Juniors returning include catcher Julie Helander and outfielder Lexi Amundson, along with sophomores third baseman Alyssa Engfer and pitcher/outfielder Mady Phillips.

Hoffman is excited about the amount of experience that is returning with his letter winners, and expects many of the new prospects to step up as well.

He is looking at junior infielder Bridget Opdahl, junior infielder Colleen Rutledge, junior outfielder Mikaela Cypher, and sophomore outfielder/catcher McKenna Roberts to add depth to his team.

“We need to constantly be improving each and every day so that we are playing at a very high level by the end of the season,” said Hoffman, who looks for Albany and Paynesville to battle for the top spots in Minnewaska’s conference.

Hoffman is assisted this year by Dick Cordes and Paul Edmonds.

2012 MINNEWASKA SOFTBALL

ROSTER

SENIORS – Brooke Winter, outfield; Kaylyn Oberg, 2nd base; Jillian Hendrickson, 1st base; Kaylee Jacobs, pitcher/outfield; Courtney Schmidt, shortstop.

JUNIORS – Colleen Rutledge, infield; Bridget Opdahl, infield; Julie Helander, catcher; Lexi Amundson, outfield; Mikaela Cypher, outfield.

SOPHOMORES – Kacia Kollman, infield; Alyssa Engfer, 3rd base; Shana Suchy, infield; Aubree Schmidt, infield; McKenna Roberts, catcher/outfield; Taylor Noetzelman, infield; Jordan Hill, outfield; Mady Phillips, pitcher/outfield.

FRESHMEN – Morgan Majerus, outfield; Jordan Roggenkamp, infield; Becca Goettch, infield; Rachel Bakko, pitcher; Haley Lee, outfield; Dakohta Schmainda, outfield.

COACHES – Steve Hoffman, head coach; Dick Cordes, assistant; Paul Edmonds, assistant.

Tags: minnewaska sports, sports, lakers, softball