Eagles softball debuts today

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Hard work is the motto of the New Ulm Eagle softball team.

"This group has a really good work ethic," senior co-captain Sheena Stueber said. "They come to practice and want to work hard -- want to improve. We have that drive, that motivation, in us."

One of the places the girls want that motivation to carry them is one game further into the post-season: the state tournament.

Last year, the girls finished with a record of 11-1, and were beaten by Prior Lake in the region championship by a narrow margin.

"I want to play one more game than we did last year," Stueber said. "I like to think we are good enough -- we always have a shot."

That goal is in the back -- or maybe the forefront -- of senior co-captain Cassandra Hibbard's mind.

"I want to keep the team positive, being a captain -- keep the team going, working our butts off to get there," she said. "We've been practicing really hard the last three weeks."

"It is difficult to say [how we will do]," Eagle coach Jim Pearson said. "We lost a lot of quality players who contributed to our success."

Pearson also pointed out that there are also some quality players this year.

Stueber, a three-year letterwinner, will be at third base; last year, she had a batting average of .246 with 17 hits -- seven of them for extra bases, with an on-base average of .407. She also scored 20 runs and was walked 11 times.

Senior Rachel Kitzberger, who saw limited play time last year on varsity, will play at shortstop, as well as junior Megan Schuetzle, who batted .333 on B-squad last year.

At second, two players will see playing time: junior Amy Waldner, who had 23 hits for a .575 average on B-squad, and senior Jackie Bode, who hit .243 on varsity with a .690 on base average. Bode will also see time in the outfield.

Senior Kayla Farasyn will play first along with junior Stacy Stueber; Farasyn hit .296 with seven RBIs on varsity, and Stueber hit .457 on B-squad, five of her 15 hits were extra-base hits.

Hibbard will be the spot of experience in an outfield that will see different players rotate in. Hibbard hit .213 last year with 10 hits. Junior Angie Seifert will play, and may be backup catcher; she hit .457 on B-squad. Laura Yager, senior, saw limited playing time last year, but coach Pearson says she's "ready to step up." Samantha Schmit, junior, will also play outfield.

Behind the plate will be senior Kayla Wenisch, who is on varsity for the first time, but Pearson said she is doing well catching.

And in the pitcher's circle will be junior veteran Jocelyn Janni, who went 11-0 last year with an ERA of .51, with 81 strikeouts and just five walks in 83 innings. Also pitching is Vanessa Achman, a junior who pitched B-squad last year.

The team has been thankful for nice weather, being able to get outside and practice some things that they normally don't get to do inside before their first game.

"We work really hard -- it's a trait that is pretty indicative of the program," Pearson said. "Now we need to play some games and find spots we need to work on."

The Eagles travel to Owatonna today to open their season. Because the girls had an early success against Owatonna last year, they are feeling positive for the beginning of their season.

"They are in the Big Nine, which is a competitive conference," Pearson said. "We did well last year, so we are looking for a good ball game [today]."