It’s hard to imagine having to deal with more change than the Oconto Falls High School softball team is this season.
The team has a new coach, a new home field and its ace pitcher, McKenna Larsen, is on the disabled list for the foreseeable future.
Longtime coach Dawn Larsen stepped down in March and has been replaced by former assistant coach Rochell Otto, who has been with the program the last eight years.
Larsen’s daughter, McKenna, the Panthers’ top pitcher and Bay Conference co-player of the year last season, had surgery on her right hand following a state run in basketball and might not play this season.
If that wasn’t enough, the team is also transitioning from Memorial Field to its new home at the just-built softball complex at the school.
With so much change, Otto is leaning on veteran players to provide leadership.
“I’m hoping that all of my seniors step up to the plate,” Otto said.
The team has four returning starters. Senior catcher Nicolle Sparks and junior shortstop Elizabeth Manns are both three-year starters. Maddie Kussow, who played primarily at first last year, will move to third base this season, and Ashley Terry will take over first base.
Rounding out the infield will be junior second baseman Sabrina Brasier, who missed last season because of an injury.
Junior McKayla Johnson will man center field, and senior Rachael Winter will be in right field. The rest of the team will fight for an open spot in left field.
The tall task of replacing McKenna Larsen on the mound will fall to freshman McKenna Kussow.
“I’m sure we’ll have many growing pains,” Otto said. “I’m just hoping she can come in and throw strikes.”
Offensively, the Panthers will rely on Sparks and Manns. Sparks hit .308 a season ago, while Manns was .296.
“I hope Maddie Kussow, Ashley Terry and McKayla Johnson can make some kind of impact offensively,” Otto said. “Sabrina Brasier coming back looks pretty decent at the stick right now. We’ve got to see live hitting, though.”
The Bay Conference, in which the Panthers finished fifth with a 9-7 record a season ago, has sent a team to the WIAA state tournament the last four years. It looks like the league will be stacked again this year.
“We’re just going to take it a game at a time and see how it goes,” Otto said. “Just go with it … get some camaraderie going and hopefully have some fun.”
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