The Brandon-Evansville softball team featured a solid nucleus of young players the last time spring sports teams competed in 2019. That nucleus brings the Chargers into this season with more experience now than a lot of teams are able to boast.
Seniors Bailey Schaefer, Mikenna Pattrin, Korrie Randt, and Morgan Bitzan, juniors Olivia Otto, Kaytlyn Pattrin and Kiley Lund and sophomores Taylin Kramer and Sydney Schaefer all have some level of varsity experience to fall back on.
“With all that has happened in the last year, we are all just ready to be on the field together again,” B-E head coach Kasi Sieling said. “There is a general feeling that we have a lot to make up for and are ready to take full advantage of the time we have together now. Coming into this season, there are a lot of unknowns and we are all really excited to see where we are at and how we can grow together as a team.”
Pattrin is back with a history of being one of the Pheasant Conference’s best pitchers. Schaefer was also the Chargers’ team MVP in 2019 and a first-team All-Pheasant Conference player with Pattrin on a team that won the conference championship for the sixth straight year.
“Returning players have a strong knowledge of the game and know what is expected of them day in and day out in order to improve and achieve their goals,” Sieling said of the strengths of this team. “We have motivated newcomers ready to prove themselves.”
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Sophomore Sophie Koep, freshman Kylee Dingwall and 8th-grader Hallie Richter are some younger players who could help add depth to this year’s team.
Sieling sees Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley as a top team to contend with in the Pheasant Conference, and New York Mills and Browerville as teams to beat come tournament time.
The Chargers have a motivated group that is looking to pick up where it left off after a 16-4 overall record in 2019.
“We have a good chance to be competitive in our conference and subsection,” Sieling said.
“This is a determined, hard-working group of girls and I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish.”
BRANDON-EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
April 13 at Browerville, 4:30 p.m.
April 15 vs. Ashby (DH), 4:30 p.m.
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April 17 at Minnewaska Invite, 9 a.m.
April 20 at Wheaton-H-N (DH), 4 p.m.
April 23 vs. Rothsay, 5 p.m.
April 29 at Hillcrest Lutheran (DH), 4 p.m.
May 3 vs. Parkers Prairie, 4:30 p.m.
May 7 vs. WCA (DH), 4 p.m.
May 10 vs. Ortonville (DH), 4 p.m.
May 14 vs. Hancock (DH), 4 p.m.
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May 21 at Clinton-G-B, 4 p.m.
May 27 vs. Minnewaska, 4:30 p.m.
