By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The TMP-Marian softball team is set to open the season Friday at home against the Russell Broncos.
The Monarchs and head coach Melissa Schoepf return a lot of experience from last year’s team that finished 12-10, losing in the 3A regional semifinals. That includes six who started as underclassmen in the semifinals.
Schoepf said she believes the experience the five seniors have gained from playing in the spring, as well as the summer and fall is a great benefit.
“Their game knowledge has just grown so much from freshman
year to this year,” Schoepf said. “I’ve been able to notice at the plate, a
little more confidence with them that I hope we can carry over into games.”
Senior Jaci VonLintel led the Monarchs in all major offensive categories last season. She finished with a .486 batting average with three home runs and 35 RBIs.
The Monarchs seniors also include Hannah Garcia, Madison Augustine, Karli Komarek and Sophie Allen.
Garcia, Augustine and Allen all started at least 20 games last season with Komarek appearing in 17.
Fellow senior Julianna Baalman played in 20 games for the Monarchs last season but will miss the spring season after suffering a knee injury during basketball.
Augustine went almost the entire way as the Monarchs’ starter in the circle, starting 21 games.
She finished with a 12-9 record and a 3.80 ERA in 119.2 innings.
First pitch between the Monarchs and the Broncos is set for 4 p.m. Friday at the Monarch softball complex.