Jason Baune is entering his 16th season as head coach of the very successful, Becker Bulldog girls softball team.

 

Baune is excited to have his entire coaching staff back, including the volunteers from last year. They include Jesse ONeill, Matt ONeill and Sara Peterson.  He’s also added former Bulldog, Karissa Hermann, as a volunteer.  

 

Student mangers are Kurstyn Patnode and Maddie Sherman.

 

“The thing that I enjoy most is working with the student-athletes,” he says.  “It's enjoyable for me to watch athletes develop on the field — and even more so — to see them grow off the field.”

 

Baune is also proud of the growth in the program, where this year he sees 74 girls playing in grades 9-12 and middle school.

 

Baune graduated six seniors from a team that   went 15-8 and was Granite Ridge Conference co-champions with Cathedral.

 

“They (Cathedral) will be strong again this year,” Baune said. “Albany also went to state last year and I expect that they will be strong.  Zimmerman always has talented players and gives us competitive games.”

 

As is every year, it’s the team’s goal to make state and Baune’s team was well on their way last year until they lost consecutive home games in the section playoffs to bow out of postseason. One of those teams that beat Becker at home was Big Lake — a perpetual hard-nosed opponent that made it to the big dance in 2017.

 

“Last year, Big Lake got hot and came through the loser's bracket to make it to the state tournament,” said Baune. “Monticello has also been strong recently and Rocori is always near the top of the pack.”

 

Baune says that every five years or so, Mother Nature throws his team a curveball and the schedule for practices and games goes out the window.

 

“(The weather) does impact us, however, we don't like to use it as an excuse since almost every team is impacted and some aren't as fortunate as we are when it comes to indoor facilities,” said Baune.  

 

“Occasionally, we are able to get in the fieldhouse to work in a somewhat realistic setting,” he says.  “We've already scrimmaged Sartell in the St. John's dome and we'll be going to a scrimmage at the SCSU dome Friday night.  We still have one scrimmage date available that we can try to use if this weather continues.”

 

Baune says he was fortunate to be able to attend a training based on the philosophy of former UCLA basketball coach John Wooden this winter and he is using a lot of his teachings to work with his student-athletes this season.

 

Baune’s varsity squad is a mix of girls in grades 9-12.  Some, he says, have multiple years of varsity experience, but many will be getting their first real taste of varsity.

  

Pitching has always been a centerpiece for Baune’s teams in the past and this year is no exception. His ace is Corrie Weise, who has years of varsity experience and continues to improve.

 

“Catrina Holm is another talented pitcher that will get a lot of time on the mound,” Baune said.  “Both she and Weise have been playing year-round and we will be counting on the two of them to make pitching a strength for us this spring.  We also have a nice group of pitchers in grades 7-9 that have been working hard and in the very near future they may also be ready to see some varsity action.”

 

The team consists of Ellie Schwartz, Haley Benda, Payton Bernstrom, Corrie Weise, Avery Tamm, Cammie Varney, Kaylyn Wiehle, Emily Lamott and Catrina Holm.