Taking it seriously and keeping it

fun aren't mutually exclusive for New Ulm Cathedral's Dee Wilfahrt

By BOB VARMETTE

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- Playing softball at New Ulm Cathedral is taken seriously. But that doesn't mean the players don't have fun.

Playing for the winningest high school softball coach in Minnesota, and in a program that has won three Class 1A state titles, would seem to be loaded with pressure -- pressure that might take the fun out of just getting out and playing the game.

But the pressure, the expectations, the tradition were all part of the fun for Cathedral's Dee Wilfahrt.

"I do take it seriously," Wilfahrt said. "It's really important to me, but I only take it to the point where I don't like it to be so serious that we don't have fun. I just don't think it's worth it if you don't have fun."

Of course, it's always more fun when you're good. Wilfahrt went 12-4 in 2001, had an ERA of just 0.74, struck out 92 and walked 20 in 95 innings.

"We won the Tomahawk, and if someone asked me to make a list of the reasons why, Dee Wilfahrt would be on the top of that list," Cathedral coach Bob Mertz said.

Leading the Greyhounds to a 17-5 record, 15-1 in the Tomahawk, Wilfahrt earned All-Tomahawk Conference honors and is the 2001 Journal Softball Player of the Year.

A 1-0 loss to Mankato Loyola in the Section 2-1A semifinals ended the Greyhounds' season, and Wilfahrt's high school career. It was a year that ended too soon for Wilfahrt.

"This year, we only had five seniors, we lost a lot from last year," Wilfahrt said. "I thought I had a really good season. I probably could've done a little better, but I was satisfied with the way I played. I thought it ended kind of soon ... but all in all, we had fun."

Wilfahrt ended her three-year varsity career with the Greyhounds with a mark of 19-9 and a 1.36 ERA. The New Ulm native played in a few games as a sophomore and was brought up for the postseason, and was to be the Greyhounds' second varsity pitcher her junior season.

But Wilfahrt got a little more varsity experience her junior season than she expected. Cathedral's senior pitcher in 2000 -- Andrea Dittrich -- began experiencing problems with her mechanics, and Wilfahrt was ushered into the lineup ahead of schedule.

Wilfahrt remembers the game. It was an important conference matchup with McLeod West.

"When Mr. Mertz told me to go warm up, I was really nervous," Wilfahrt said. "I didn't really play a whole lot before that. I was going in for the starting varsity pitcher. I didn't think I would get to that point until my senior year."

Wilfahrt was fine. And as Dittrich continued to struggle with her mechanics, Wilfahrt got more playing time, which made her first game this season a lot easier.

And the first game was a milestone game for Cathedral. Wilfahrt limited the then top-ranked Wabasso Rabbits to just one earned run on three hits in a 6-3 victory that gave Mertz his 400th career win.

Wilfahrt was solid the rest of the season as well. That Cathedral didn't go further rested not on Wilfahrt's arm, but on the Greyhounds' bats.

The season-ending 1-0 loss to Loyola was, in a cruel way, an appropriate finale. The season ended for Wilfahrt and the Greyhounds much in the way it had progressed to that point -- Cathedral relied on Wilfahrt to support an often less-than-potent offense.

"It does get kind of frustrating when we don't get the hits, but it doesn't bother me that much," Wilfahrt said. "I try to concentrate more, try to take my time a little bit more."

Wilfahrt, who will play softball at Winona State, does feel the pressure. But the young woman who admits to having had problems with shyness in the past knows her mission on the field. No opposing team nor fans need apply to be a distraction.

Wilfahrt prides herself on being observant, but on the softball field it's a different game altogether. There, it's just her, her catcher and the batter.

"I guess I really didn't know I was in that type of zone until this year when people would say stuff to me," she said. "It's kind of weird because I didn't know I could be that focused, just block everything else out."

Said Mertz: "I don't see Dee get flustered really easy on the mound. She really holds her composure well. She hides it real well if anything's bothering her, but she does not look nervous at all."

Her confidence reinforced by a stellar senior season, Wilfahrt will take her focus to Winona State, where she plans to major in social work. She won't be a scholarship player, and she'll have to go through tryouts.

She also knows the pressure of Division II softball with a longer season and increased travel will wear at her. But Wilfahrt's goal will still be the same at Winona State -- to have fun.

"She's going to get better, she can get stronger," Mertz said. "She'll be able to play at that level."

The balance of the 2001 All-Journal Softball Team:

Jessica VanLoy, Wabasso

Just a freshman, VanLoy, in addition to being solid at catcher, was the second-leading hitter for the Rabbits. VanLoy hit .333, drove in 12 runs, and scored 17 runs, tying for the team lead. VanLoy led Wabasso with four doubles in 2001 and had a .500 on-base percentage and was named All-Tomahawk honorable mention.

Kate Englin, Springfield/Cedar Mountain/Comfrey

Englin hit .385 for the Tigers with 20 runs scored and 10 RBI in 2001, and had eight extra-base hits. The senior shortstop recorded a fielding percentage of .970 and earned a selection to the 2001 All-Tomahawk Conference team.

Jenny VanLoy, Wabasso

Getting every decision for the Rabbits, VanLoy went 18-4 with a 0.73 ERA in 2001. VanLoy was also effective on offense. She hit .264 with 11 runs scored and 11 RBI. VanLoy led the Rabbits with a .390 on-base percentage. VanLoy was named to the All-Tomahawk Conference team.

Sarah Altermatt, Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove

After playing at third base last season, Altermatt made the move to the rubber for her junior year and earned All-Red Rock Conference honors in 2001. Altermatt record was 10-11, but recorded an ERA of 2.39, striking out 97 batters. Offensively, Altermatt hit .290 with six doubles, three triples and a home run. The Falcons' co-captain also was 11-for-11 in stolen bases.

Lauren Hofmeister, New Ulm High

Hofmeister, a senior pitcher for the Eagles, went 14-4 with a 1.05 ERA in 2001. Hofmeister struck out 92 in 133 innings and allowed only 80 hits. For her career, Hofmeister was 20-7 with a 1.20 ERA and in 183 innings fanned 140 batters. Hofmeister also hit .308 in 2001 with a home run, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored. She recorded an on-base percentage of .439 and was named All-South Central Conference.

Jamie Kaehler, Springfield/ Cedar Mountain/Comfrey

Kaehler hit .385 for SCMC with 14 RBI and nine runs scored, earning her a spot on the 2001 All-Tomahawk Conference honorable mention team. The sophomore played third base and also went 5-0 with a 0.17 ERA in limited pitching duty for the Tigers. In 18 innings, Kaehler struck out 14 and walked only seven.

Julia Grams, Red Rock Central/Westbrook-Walnut Grove

Grams earned All-Red Rock Conference honors in 2001 as a freshman. At third base, Grams recorded a .920 fielding percentage and led the Falcons at the plate with a .348 average with five doubles and a triple. Grams also led RRC/WWG with 15 stolen bases in 17 attempts. Grams also earned All-Section 3-2A honors.

Jill Sackett, Madelia/Truman

Sackett batted .417 for the Jayhawks in 2001 and played first base. Sackett scored 16 runs and had 16 RBI, and stole 17 bases, earning her an All-Valley Conference selection.

Shawna Braun, Sleepy Eye High

A four-year starter for the Indians, Braun topped the team, hitting .371 in 2001 with 14 runs scored and 10 RBI. Braun also led Sleepy Eye High with 23 hits and only struck out a team-low two times. An All-Tomahawk Conference selection, Braun played first base and also filled in at shortstop. Braun stole 14 bases in 2001 and recorded a .514 on-base percentage. For her career, Braun hit .271 with 45 runs scored and 31 RBI.

Allison Boddy, New Ulm High

A junior shortstop for the Eagles, Boddy earned All-South Central Conference honors in 2001 by hitting .406 with three home runs. Boddy also had 24 RBI and scored 24 runs and a .551 on-base percentage. For her career, Boddy has hit .325 with 31 RBI and 46 runs scored and an on-base percentage of .494. Boddy was also named all-region.

Kim Heldt, Minnesota Valley Lutheran

Heldt was a major reason for the Chargers' improvement in 2001. After having won only three games in two seasons, MVL went 8-13 in with Heldt leading the Chargers with a .403 average, and in just about every other offensive category. The senior third baseman scored 13 runs, had 13 RBI and stole 13 bases and was named to the 2001 All-Tomahawk Conference team.

Kristin Beranek, New Ulm Cathedral

The speedy junior center fielder for the Greyhounds hit .435 in 2001 and led the team with 18 stolen bases. For her career, Beranek has a .455 batting average and 25 stolen bases.

Sara Anderson, Springfield/ Cedar Mountain/Comfrey

Anderson led the Tigers with a .431 average and scored 16 runs, driving in nine runs in 2001. The senior center fielder recorded a .950 fielding percentage.

Melissa Braulick, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's

Braulick was a four-year starter in center field for the Knights and was a two-time All-Tomahawk Conference selection. Braulick hit .284 in 2001 and led the Knights with 25 hits, 22 runs scored and 14 RBI, earning her the Knights' Most Valuable Player honors. Defensively, Braulick recorded a .952 fielding percentage.

Casey Price, Wabasso

Price topped the Rabbits with a .426 batting average, led Wabasso with 26 hits, and tied for the team lead with 17 runs scored and 15 RBI. The junior center fielder also stole six bases and struck out only eight times and earned All-Tomahawk Conference honorable mention honors.

Candice Krueger, Springfield/ Cedar Mountain/Comfrey

The Tigers' junior left fielder led the the team with 18 RBI and also scored 13 runs in batting .340 in 2001. Krueger was solid on defense, recording a .990 fielding percentage. Krueger was named to the 2001 All-Tomahawk Conference squad.

Kristy Schumacher, Sleepy Eye St. Mary's

Schumacher led the Knights in 2001 with a .306 batting average, and also led St. Mary's in slugging (.444) and on-base percentage (.404). The senior was a three-year starter in the outfield, playing two years in left before moving to right in 2001. Schumacher was named to the 2001 All-Tomahawk Conference team.

All-Journal Honorable Mention: Jennie Burt, MVL; Katie Savage, SCMC; Steph Moldan, St. Mary's; Alissa Black, Gibbon-Fairfax-Winthrop; Ashlie Groehler, GFW; Jenny Bussler, GFW; Wendy Lyle, RRC/WWG; Alissa Rickets, Wabasso; Annie Moore, Wabasso; Marissa Kelsey, Madelia/Truman; Ann Tauer, Sleepy Eye High; Sheena Stueber, New Ulm High; Tessa Hodapp, Cathedral.