All-Journal Softball Team 2004
Last Impressions: VanLoy, Fischer leave their mark after years of solid play

By JEREMY BEHNKE

Journal Sports Writer

Having been varsity athletes for at least the last four years, Wabasso's Jessica VanLoy and New Ulm Cathedral's Nikki Fischer have crossed paths numerous times.

So it should be no surprise that the two meet again, this time as the 2004 All-Journal Team Co-Players of the Year.

While both players made their cases to earn the award outright, neither one of them mind sharing and both said that competing against each other has forged a friendship between the two.

"It doesn't bother me because she deserves it," Fischer said. "She's fun to play against because we are so competitive on the court or on the field, and then, when we're off, it's like we're friends and we talk and do whatever. I played against her for basketball, and then I was on her team, and that was a lot of fun."

Fischer was again one of the reasons why the Greyhounds made a return trip to Caswell Park, displaying an unbelievable amount of range at shortstop.

With Fischer being a mainstay at short the last four years, Cathedral coach Bob Mertz said a concern a year from now is finding someone who can step in and fill her spikes.

"We're going to struggle to find someone to replace her right away," Mertz said. "We really got back to the state tournament because of our defense, and it all starts with Nikki Fischer."

While Fischer has been wowing Cathedral fans with her steady glove and bat, VanLoy has been doing the same for the Rabbits since she started playing varsity softball in seventh grade.

She moved up from the "B" squad and played center. In eighth grade, she played second base before settling back behind the plate as a freshman.

"I guess when I played "B" squad, I caught, and they needed a center fielder, so it was my position," VanLoy said.

VanLoy's arm is perhaps her most dangerous weapon. She said that she gained more confidence in her ability to pick off runners her senior year.

"I think, especially when I haven't seen a team before, I like to see their baserunners and how they react," VanLoy said. "I didn't do it as much last year, but as I got more confidence with the girls, I did try it more this year."

While both are great defensive players, they have even more astonishing numbers at the plate. Fischer hit .392 and finished the season with 28 RBIs. She hit .375 for her career, and according to Mertz, she's the best shortstop to have ever suited up in the Maroon and White.

Meanwhile, VanLoy's numbers are so unreal they appear fictional. She hit .538, collecting 42 hits in 78 at-bats. She finished with 20 extra base hits -- eight doubles, six triples, and six home runs. Her on base percentage was .636 and she struck out only five times.

"Last year, I batted a little over .500, and my goal this year was to beat that, and I did thankfully," VanLoy said.

VanLoy plans on going to Dakota State in Madison, South Dakota. She plans on continuing her softball and basketball careers while Fischer said she will attend Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa.

"I'm just going to see," Fischer said. "I don't know if I'm going to play my first year of college -- maybe wait it out and maybe play my second year and see if I like it. I'm just going to take off and pretty much focus on school."

The rest of the 2004 All-Journal Team:

Julia Grams, RRC/WWG: The senior shortstop was a four-year starter and earned All-Red Rock Conference four times. She hit .350 and scored 21 runs. She hit two home runs and stole 22 bases on 22 attempts.

Abby Kelly, Comfrey/Cedar Mountain: The eighth grader struck out 115 hitters in 104 innings and had an ERA of 2.37. Opponents hit .170 off of her and she earned All-Red Rock Conference honors in her second year of varsity experience. Voted the team's MVP.

Alissa Michels, MVL: Michels hit .349 on the season and went 7-5 on the mound. Her 23 career wins is the most in MVL history and she earned All-Conference in the Tomahawk her senior year.

Kristi Klingler, MVL: The junior hit .414 with 21 RBIs and 18 runs. She went 2-1 on the mound and was a versatile player who was able to play a number of positions.

Amy Waldner, NUHS: The senior second baseman hit .309 and tied for the team lead in hits as she led the Eagles to the Section 2AAA championship game. She also played in the Minnesota High School Girls All-Star Series.

Jocelyn Janni, NUHS: Janni went 15-7 on the mound for the Eagles this year and was a big part of the Eagles' success in 2004. She had an ERA of 1.67 and struck out 127 batters in 147 innings, walking just 14.

Martha Beatty, NUHS: Beatty, a junior, led the team in numerous categories and will be back at shortstop next season. She hit .329 with 23 RBIs and 15 extra base hits. She hit three home runs and had a slugging percentage of .671. She also had five triples and seven doubles.

Ashley Roiger, Sleepy Eye: Roiger, a senior outfielder, hit .486 on the season, which was a school record for the Indians. She also finished with 36 hits -- another school record. She had an OBA of .595 and was 14-for-14 in the stolen base category.

Kristi Schieffert, Sleepy Eye: Schieffert, a four-year starter for the Indians, was selected to the Minnesota High School Girls All-Star Series but could not attend due to her graduation. Schieffert hit .329 with 19 RBIs and finished her career with 13 home runs. She graduates as the school's all-time leader in RBIs, triples, home runs, and hits.

Laura Pace, Madelia-Truman: Pace led the Jayhawks to a third place finish in the Section 2A playoffs. She went 13-10 on the mound with 117 strikeouts.

Nea Harkness, GFW: The sophomore pitcher led the Tomahawk Conference in strikeouts and had the second lowest ERA at 1.90. She holds many school records and should be a vital player for the Thunderbirds the next two years.

Ashley Vorwerk, GFW: The senior shortstop will be greatly missed as she had an OBA of .612 and a batting average of .451. She, along with Harkness, was part of the All-Conference team.

Kim Weedman, Springfield: Weedman finished the year with 31 RBIs and 2 home runs while hitting .371 for the season. She finished the season with 33 hits and a slugging percentage of .596.

Naomi Timm, Springfield: Timm hit .382 for the Tigers and finished the season with 34 hits, two home runs, and 22 RBIs. She also went 3-1 on the mound with an ERA of 1.83.

Amanda Helget, St. Mary's: Helget was selected to the Minnesota High School Girls All-Star Series, and for her career she hit .292 with four triples and 45 hits. She also had 25 RBIs.

Ashley Reinarts, St. Mary's: Reinarts was selected Tomahawk All-Conference as a junior third baseman and she led the Knights in RBIs. She is a career .250 hitter.

Julie Seifert, Cathedral: The 2003 All-Journal Player of the Year had another great run in 2004, again leading her team to the state tournament. Known for her tough defense, Seifert went 18-3 and hit .408 with 20 RBIs. She made the All-Tournament team for the State Tournament the past two years and has been All-Conference three years.

Becky Hosna, Cathedral: The junior slapper led the Greyhounds with a .415 average in the leadoff spot. She finished the season with 34 hits and was the Greyhounds' Most Improved Player. She was also All-State Honorable Mention.

Molly Erdman, Nicollet: The sophomore hit .371 with two home runs, had two triples and three doubles for the Raiders. She also pitched, striking out 53 in 79 innings.