Eagles’ coaching staff remains optimistic after losing six seniors
By Jacob Heid
Sports Writer
ALMOND – The Almond-Bancroft softball team lost more seniors coming into 2023 than the games lost last season.
The shift of replacing senior production with younger talent is always daunting, but the coaching staff isn’t fazed about the task.
The team is excited to get the season rolling and put all pieces of the puzzle together.
“Most of these players are on travel ball teams but are in different age groups. It will be great to have them all on one team together,” assistant coach Carrie Omernik said. “This is also a very competitive and energetic group, so as fun as practice has been, I cant wait to see their energy on game day.”
The big news out of Almond-Bancroft’s camp is the loss of a handful of seniors from last season.
The pitching circle took the biggest hit, losing first-team all-conference player Olivia Baumgartner and second-team player Riley Stiles.
“We graduated six players from last year’s team, including our pitchers,” Omernik explained. “We are building off our four upperclassmen that were starters last year. We are gaining five freshmen that have a lot of experience and softball knowledge. We are confident in their ability to jump right in and produce for us.”
Having that type of confidence means high expectations for the team.
After a 21-3 (11-1) record last year, the Eagles expect another competitive season on top of the Central Wisconsin-South conference.
Almond-Bancroft is 2-0 to start the 2023 season.