Sandusky Varsity Softball Spring Sports Preview
Coach: Danny Franzel
Career record 113-95
Team’s record last year: League -10-0, Overall – 21-10
Key returning players, with comments (& last year’s stats): Sr. Haley Nelson is a four year varsity player, and has put together a nice collection of stats, with an over all 0.431 batting avg. for her first 3 years. Haley’s competitive drive makes her one of the top players in the Thumb area this spring. Her leadership on and off the field has proven itself over and over again. Pitching and playing mid-infielder is where Haley can be seen at softball field; Sr. Callie Jacobson is a three year varsity player. Callie puts everything on the field and pushs herself to be the best. Callie is a play maker and has come through in many clutch spot over the last 2 season. 2nd base and Outfield is where Callie will help the Redskins in 2018; Sr. Cassidy Albrecht a three year varsity player has played in the outfield and as a back up catcher the last 2 years. In 2018 Cassidy will step into the starting catchers role, and be the leader of our defense; Sr. Paige Levitt a 2 year varsity player with the Sandusky Redskins, brings a lot to our team with her defensive play. Paige is a utility player, and will see infield, outfield, and pitching time this spring; Jr.Taylor Calkins a second year varsity player, that makes things happen for our team. Taylor is a middle infielder and a pitcher. Taylor comes into the 2018 season with a career 0.531 batting avg. Taylor has help our team win a GTC East championship in 2017, and a district title in 2016 with her hitting and pitching talents.
Top new prospects: Jr. Danielle Franzel in her first varsity season will take over the third base role. Danielle has a strong arm a good sense of the game of softball to hold down third for us. Danielle has a good bat and will help out at the top of our order; Sr. Kailyn Tomchek a first year varsity player, will add good depth at first base. Kailyn is coming in with good softball experience and a good understanding of the game that will be a key ingredient for our defense; Jr. Kendra Dorman will share duties at 1st base, and bring a strong bat in her first year on varsity; Jr. Kailey Schomaker will add some depth at 2nd base and the outfield. Kailey has played some good ball over the years and will help our team in many ways this spring; Madison Lamm in her varsity season will be our back up catcher, and share some duties in the outfield. Madison is very important part of our defensive plans and will be called on to step into key moments; Jr. Madison Winiarski is in her first varsity season and looking to find a spot in the line up with a very powerful bat and a very positive attitude for the game.
Key losses to graduation: Elisa Shampo we lost a great player and young lady, that could play 2nd, outfield and was a dependable pinch runner; Madison Armstrong a catcher with a great sense of reaction to the game; Ally Blank an outstanding 3rd base fielder with great speed; Katelyn Patterson a 4 year varsity player, played first base and exceptional hitter.
Comments on this year’s team (strengths, weaknesses, goals): Our team is looking to repeat in the GTC East in 2018, we have a good team of softball players that work together. Our team has lost some returning talent to injury, Sr. Madysen Jansen pitcher and middle infielder, also Sophomore Paige Patterson outfielder, both looking to be out for the season. As a team we are looking for new players to find their role and returning players to pass on their knowledge to help us reach our goals. Our program has some young talent that will see some varsity play this spring in key times, Jasmon Kjaer outfielder, Morgan Rosser outfielder, and Oliva Jacobson middle infield, utility player, these young ladies are talented and ready to jump at the chance. Our teams will have some challenges early finding the right placed for our ladies. With the hard work that we have put in early this spring will pay off and put us on top of game.
Comments on league this season: 2018 GTC EAST should be a good one with all the great Thumb area softball players that I have seen in the last few years playing travel ball in the summer. 2018 will be one to remember for all.