MVL charges into spring ready to play

Coach Julie Detjen adds new element to already improving softball program

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- With two years of solid improvement behind them, the Minnesota Valley Lutheran softball team is hungry for more.

Last year, after coach Jim Buboltz had come in amid a bit of chaos and made the school think seriously about softball, the girls advanced further than any previous Charger softball team. The girls lost by one point to Sleepy Eye St. Mary's in sub-sections last year; this year, the girls are pushing for more.

"They want to build on the success of last year," head coach Julie Detjen said. "They are happy, but they want more. Now they have the confidence they were lacking before."

"It is motivating to know that we got so close to state last year -- we really want to get there," senior third baseman Janelle Fischer said.

Now the team adds Detjen's coaching experience to Buboltz and their other assets.

According to Fischer, the team's experience, along with Detjen's input has allowed them to get past relearning some of the fundamentals early in the season and work on more situational skills.

Although Detjen carries the head coach title, she and Buboltz are working closely together as the season progresses.

"We've made some huge steps the last few years," Fischer said. Fischer began playing varsity as a sophomore the same year Buboltz took over. "He's one of the reasons the team's got as far as it has. He said he would turn the program around 180 degrees, and he's done just that."

And Detjen wants to take advantage of that situation.

"We'll be able to springboard off of that," she said, referring to the past two positive seasons. "This is a good situation. We have some really enthusiastic kids who enjoy softball."

Aside from a team goal of wanting to improve on last year's season and go further, Fischer, along with her teammates, is working on personal goals.

"I want to minimize my errors in the infield," she said. "I want to improve every time I step on the field and just benefit the team the best I can."

This attitude was evidenced the last two years when Fischer played shortstop as a sophomore, then moved to third base to fill the team's need there last year. Third base will be her home again this year.

Although Detjen and Buboltz will be trying different combinations of players in certain positions, they do have a good idea of what their infield will look like.

While Fischer has third base in her grasp, senior Danielle Hammerschmidt has spoken for second base. According to Detjen, both players have good gloves and will be team leaders. Fischer hit .342 with 28 RBI's and Hammerschmidt hit .313 last year and had 17 stolen bases.

At first base, the coaches are looking at sophomore Kristi Klingler, as well as junior Jessica Beckendorf. Detjen likes that Klingler is knowledgable about the game and is outspoken on the field.

The team's pitchers will surely rotate in from other positions; senior Jennie Burt and junior Alissa Michels will also play shortstop or outfield when not pitching. Both are good with the bat, so coaches would like to keep them in the lineup. Burt hit .366 last year, and Michels hit .250.

Freshman Andrea Ring, junior Allie Krenz and junior Katie Ahrenstorff are jockeying for position at catcher, and may end up sharing time behind the plate, as well as in the outfield.

"I need a field general," Detjen said. "I need my catcher to direct the defense and be in command."

The outfield is still undefined, as junior Kelsey Black, who is also trying to play some Junior Olympics volleyball, is tending a sore shoulder and is unsure she will play. Other players vying for position or to be used as utility players are junior Katie Duffee, junior Angie Meyer, senior Joeleen Torvick and junior Meredith Browne.

The team's first challenge this year will be the last challenge of last year: Sleepy Eye St. Mary's. The Chargers travel to St. Mary's Monday, April 7 at 4:30 for their first game, and they will be looking to continue where they left off in last year's sub-section game. The Chargers tried to make a comeback with Alissa Michels' triple, but came up short.