Head Coach Jason Baune has 40 girls vying for spots on the ninth through 12th softball squads for the upcoming season. It’s his 13th season holding the reins and he is still enjoying his role.

 

“I enjoy teaching kids about the game and helping them develop life skills that will serve them after they leave Becker High School,” he said.  “Having such a great coaching staff is a big help, especially on those rare occasions that frustration or disappointment starts to set in.”

 

Baune says he is excited to help his team set some goals and have them give all that they can to achieve them. Last year, the team achieved one of their preseason goals which was to win sections and advance to state. 

 

“We are in the process of setting new goals as a team this year,” he said. “And based on our conversations, I believe the girls are going to strive to win another conference championship and another section championship.”

 

Baune is also very excited to figure out which girls are going to be able to step in and take the place of the four seniors that graduated last year.   

 

“If the 13 girls that we have on varsity are willing to work hard, support each other and accept their roles on the team, I believe this team is very capable of repeating as section champions and winning games at the state tournament level.”

 

This will be the team’s last year playing in the top class (AAA) as the state high school league is expanding the league and adding a AAAA class. Becker will remain in AAA next year, but some of the bigger schools — like Eden Prairie, Anoka and Wayzata — will likely move up a class.

 

“Currently we compete against some of the biggest schools and so being this is our last year in this format, I’m excited for the challenge to try and go to state again this year and in the process beat some of the ‘bigger schools’”.

 

Baune will be assisted on the field by Matt O’Neill, Jessie O’Neill (second year at JV) and Sara Peterson who is beginning her second year as the ninth grade coach. Baune also has a few returning Becker HS athletes in Kristen Fah and Reyan Robinson tackling the job as junior high coaches.

 

“I'm so excited for our six seniors as they prepare for their final high school sports season,” said Baune.  “Emma Buntrock, Sam Lorette, Lindsey Lorette, Maddy Mohrman, Haley Harmon and Mckenzie Demant are awesome kids and I hope they can finish their careers with a trip to the state tournament and a lot of great memories.”

 

So far, Baune’s team has had a few moments during the preseason to get out on the field on decent weather days to practice, otherwise his team has had to find open gym space elsewhere to get the girls throwing, fielding and pitching before the regular season starts Tuesday.

 

 The girls got in two scrimmage days — one on March 21 at SCSU Husky Stadium and one March 23 at the Irish Sports Dome in Rosemount — as they fine tune their skills in preparation for the umpire’s call to “play ball!”

 

The team consists of: Ellie Schwartz, Emma Buntrock, Brianna Corey, Payton Williams, Maddy Mohrman, Alexa Hanowski, Samantha Lorette, Erika Schwartz, Lindsey Lorette, Hailey Fitzpatrick, Haley Harmon, McKenzie Demant and Sydney Lamott.

 

Their first game is April 7 at home against Little Falls at 5 p.m.

 

“We'd love to have a bunch of fans at our first home game,” said Baune.  “We take on Little Falls and the girls would love the support.”