It will be one of the youngest softball teams that Shawano Community High School has ever fielded, and the Hawks will be looking to reverse the fortunes of a 2014 season that saw them start 5-4 and then go 3-10 the rest of the way.
It doesn’t take too long a look to find encouraging signs that this could be a breakthrough year.
For one thing, having an all-state catcher back in the fold is not a bad start.
Senior Courtney Ainsworth is back behind the plate for Shawano, and six other letter-winners return to coach Kevin Isaacson’s lineup. In addition to solid defense, Ainsworth provided clutch hitting last season. Her 25 RBIs gave her an average of better than one every game.
“It’s one of the youngest varsity teams in Shawano softball history,” Isaacson said, “but this group has significant varsity experience.”
Junior Alli Raddant, a second-team all-Bay Conference selection a year ago, is back at second base. Raddant hit .357 in league games last season, and will anchor the middle of an infield that also includes another second-team all-conference pick from a year ago, sophomore third baseman Saige Henning.
Senior first baseman Nicki Ainsworth and senior left fielder Briana Boda round out the returning starters for Shawano, which last year scored 10 or more runs in six games, including 22 against Marinette in the sixth game of the season.
A challenge for the Hawks will be holding down their opponents, who last year also scored 10 or more runs in six games, including the aforementioned tilt with Marinette, which the Marines won 24-22.
Junior Julia Beck and sophomore Sarah Petry are the other returning letter-winners for Shawano, which is counting on junior pitchers Sydney Schreiber and Hannah Hein for productive innings. Hein, who hit a haughty .500 in conference games last year, also plays outfield.
The Hawks swept the season series last year with Oconto Falls, taking both ends of a Saturday doubleheader, 7-0 and 12-1, and they also took the measure of Seymour, winning both regular-season matchups and then eliminating the Thunder 11-1 in the regional opener.
Shawano’s season ended with a 4-3 regional loss to Notre Dame.
“In addition to our seven letter-winners, we have several players who played varsity innings last year,” Isaacson said. “We anticipate a very fun, competitive season.”
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