SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW / SOFTBALL
The Panther softball team lost just two starters to graduation from last year’s 10-11 team — Jordyn Hanson and Emma Chandler. That means there will be plenty of experienced talent taking the field this year.
The big question is, who will occupy the circle since last year’s workhorse Jaida Fricke open-enrolled to Russell-Tyler-Ruthton.
“As seems to be the case every year, how our pitching develops will be very key,” said eighth-year coach Karl Campbell. “We had a lot of girls play summer ball last year which hopefully will be a plus. We will be a mix of younger athletes, along with some kids that have varsity experience.”
Key players returning this spring include Melaina Ankrum, Katelyn Ruppert, Piper Freeburg, Avery Torgeson, Braelynn Kirk, Aliyah Loftness, Brianna Duscher and Kendra Timmerman, all of whom got significant playing time last year. Also, freshman infielder Gretchen Lanoue returns after missing last year while recovering from a knee injury.
“Our goal this year is to compete for a conference title and make a significant run in the playoffs,” said Campbell.
The Panthers lost a close game to Wabasso in the first round of last year’s section tournament.
“Raising the expectation level is number one” for us to have a successful season. “We’re working to improve in all phases of the game on a daily basis. Each individual needs to embrace their role on the team to make us as successful as possible.”
TMB SOFTBALL ROSTER Seniors: Brianna Duscher, Katelyn Ruppert, Kendra Timmerman; juniors: Piper Freeburg, Aliyah Loftness, Cheyenne Hoffman, Avery Torgeson, Rosa Vang; sophomores: Melaina Ankrum, Braelynn Kirk, Hallee Roggatz, Aryiana Schultz-Rolling; freshmen: Gretchen Lanoue, Alexis Brey; eighth-graders: Chloe Speckmeier, Sophia Del Angel, Allison Dolan, Allie Duscher, Mesa Edwards, Adyson Morgan, Izabella Martinez, Aleya Johnson; seventhgraders: Adalynn Brey; sixthgraders: Audrey Nelson, Aynsley Oeltjenbruns, Gabby Facio, Brynn Grunden, Skylar Johnson, Kamryn Bruns, Evelyn Buyck, Allie Duscher
DATE OPPONENT SQU. SITE TIME Thu, April 3 Adrian-Ellsworth AB Tracy 4:30pm Mon, April 7 MCC AB Tracy 4:30pm Mon, April 14 RRC/WWG AB Walnut Grove 4:30pm Tue, April 15 Dawson-Boyd AB Dawson 4:30pm Tue, April 22 Minneota-Canby (DH) AB Minneota 4:30pm Thu, April 24 KMS AB Murdock 4:30pm Fri, April 25 RTR AB Tyler 4:30pm Tue, April 29 LQPV AB Tracy 4:30pm Thu, May 1 MACCRAY AB Tracy 4:30pm Tue, May 6 YME (DH) AB Granite Falls 4:30pm Thu, May 8 Ortonville A Tracy 4:30pm Sat, May 10 Tournament (3 gms) A Wabasso TBA Tue, May 13 RCW (DH) AB Danube 4:30pm Thu, May 15 Lakeview (DH) AB Tracy 4:30pm Tue, May 20 Section A High Seed TBD Sat, May 24 Section A Marshall TBD Tue, May 27 Section A Marshall TBD Thu, May 29 Section Finals A Marshall TBD June 3, 4, 5 State A Caswell Park, Mankato TBD Fri, June 6 State Finals A U of Minnesota TBD
JUNIOR HIGH
DATE OPPONENT SQU. SITE TIME Fri, April 4 RTR JH Tyler 4:30pm Thu, April 10 Windom JH Windom 4:30pm Fri, April 11 RRRC/WWG JH Tracy Sebastian Park 4:30pm Tue, April 15 Springfield JH Tracy Sebastian Park 4:30pm Thu, April 24 Minneota-Canby JH Minneota 4:30pm Thu, May 1 Windom JH Tracy Sebastian Park 4:30pm Sat, May 3 Tournament JH Pipestone TBA Thu, May 8 Ortonville JH Tracy Hwy 14 Fields 4:30pm Sat, May 10 Tournament JH Springfield TBA Mon, May 12 RTR JH Tracy Sebastian Park 4:30pm Thu, May 15 YME JH Granite Falls 4:30pm
THE PANTHERS return one-half of their 2024 regular battery in junior catcher Piper Freeburg. Photo / Per Peterson
