Boasting a returning battery of junior pitcher Jennifer Dowden and sophomore catcher Kaylee Rynish, as well as three infielders and two outfielders, the Bonduel High School softball team is ready to move on from a frustrating season a year ago.
The Bears were 1-6 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-8 last year, 5-12 overall, but made a run in the WIAA Division 3 regional tournament, getting wins over Crivitz and Peshtigo before losing 4-3 to Shiocton in the regional final.
The lingering cold, which shortened last year’s season and could do it again this year, affected Bonduel, which relied on Dowden’s pitching. The compacted schedule meant more doubleheaders, forcing the Bears to use more backup pitchers and enabling opponents to be more aggressive on the basepaths.
“We’re not going to do what we did last year,” coach Chris Reinke said. “We want to start at a higher level. … We have to prepare for the teams that do a lot of running.”
The Bears’ diamond at Cedar Park was plowed Wednesday, but chances are slim that it will be ready for the home opener against Manawa on April 3.
When the team does hit the field, Dowden will be on the mound. She was a unanimous first-team all-conference selection a year ago.
Rynish will once again be behind the plate after cracking the lineup as a freshman.
“Rynish plays club softball,” Reinke said. “She plays all year round, which is really evident. You can see she’s not just picking up a bat and ball.”
Also back for the Bears are seniors Courtney Schmidt, Morgan Sorenson, juniors Deanna Zernicke and Alexa Reinke and sophomore Miranda Schmidt.
Sophomores Taylor Weier and Hayley Pues as well as freshman prospects Danne Collier, Kailee Pedersen and Brittany Wudtke will be fighting for the remaining starting spots.
Coach Reinke hasn’t set the rosters yet. Where people will play is further up in the air because Zernicke, a third baseman who dislocated her shoulder playing girls basketball, is still having the injury evaluated.
Wudtke, a versatile player who is the daughter of junior varsity softball coach Wade Wudtke, could help fill a spot.
“She has some potential to play the left side of the field, we’ll see. Really all-around good athlete,” Reinke said. “She can catch, she can pitch, she can play infield. She’s one of those kids where, if something happens, I can throw her wherever.”
Dowden, Courtney Schmidt, Miranda Schmidt, Alexa Reinke and Rynish led the team at the plate last season.
“We have a lot coming back,” coach Reinke said. “I think that’s a strength.”
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