By Murray Gleffe, Correspondent
ASHWAUBENON-The Jaguars softball team is coming off a 21-7 season in which they finished 4th in the FRCC.
A new year brings new challenges along with replacing key components.
It all starts on the mound for the Jaguars where Katelynn Cleveland and Syd Zabel return.
All Cleveland did in her freshman season was garner all-conference honors while holding opponents to under a 1.00 ERA.
Many squads would be happy to have one outstanding pitcher, but the Jaguars have a second in Zabel that allowed only six hits and seven runs to be scored on during her sophomore season.
It also helps when you have a solid catcher (Chloe Brabant) that can hold onto anything!
“Anytime you have quality pitching you can stay in a game,” said Shannon VanLaanen, Jaguars Softball Coach. “However, you do need to hit the ball as well and I think this team will do that. A lot of these girls might not have started last year for us, but they got quality action in to prepare them for this year.”
The Jaguars will have a solid foundation in the outfield with returnees Alexa Blasczyk and Caitlin Morris providing quality catching and hitting.
“I have been playing on the varsity team for awhile now,” commented Blasczyk. “I want to make sure that everybody knows their assignment during the game and to help my newer teammates out with confidence and leadership.”
Kally VanLaanen returns to the infield where she hit over .300 but many new faces alongside of her will appear on the dirt.
“Our goal every year is to win a Conference Championship no matter how many personnel losses we endure,” VanLaanen commented. “We take the next group up and put them in the best position to win every single game. I think Bay Port, De Pere, Green Bay Preble, and Pulaski along with us will be right in the mix for the 2018 FRCC crown.”
The team will be put to the test right out of the gate when they travel to Florida over Spring Break to take on three formidable opponents from various parts of the country.
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Girls Softball Roster (As of Mar. 20)
Seniors- Alexa Blasczyk, Jazzlyn James, Caitlin Morris, Abby Moynihan, Tatum Scheffel, Peyton Wright
Juniors- Chloe Brabant, Zion Estano, Jose Hilbert, Syd Zabel
Sophomores- Katelynn Cleveland, Kennedy Conradt, Maddy Coopmans, Kally VanLaanen
Freshman- Jamira Olson, Anna Wendorf
2017-18 Ashwaubenon Jaguars Girls Softball Schedule (All Home Games at Pioneer Elementary School)
Mar. 28 vs Oak Harbor (Chain of Lakes, FL) 9:00 a.m.
Mar. 28 vs Sandusky (Chain of Lakes, FL) 11:30 a.m.
Mar. 29 vs Chapel Hill (Chain of Lakes, FL) 11:00 a.m.
April 3 at Green Bay Southwest 4:30 p.m.
April 10 at Sheboygan South 4:30 p.m.
April 12 vs Bay Port 4:30 p.m.
April 14 at Manitowoc (Doubleheader) 11:00 a.m.
April 16 vs De Pere 4:30 p.m.
April 17 at Notre Dame 4:30 p.m.
April 19 vs Pulaski 4:30 p.m.
April 24 at Sheboygan North 4:30 p.m.
April 26 vs Green Bay Southwest 4:30 p.m.
April 28 Ashwaubenon Invite 10:00 a.m.
May 1 at De Pere 4:30 p.m.
May 3 vs Sheboygan South 4:30 p.m.
May 5 vs Green Bay Preble (Doubleheader) 11:00 a.m.
May 8 at Bay Port 4:30 p.m.
May 10 vs Notre Dame 4:30 p.m.
May 15 vs Sheboygan North 4:30 p.m.
May 17 at Pulaski 4:30 p.m.
May 19 Ashwaubenon Quad (Denmark, Pulaski, Shawano) 11:00 a.m.
May 23,25 (TBD) WIAA Regionals 4:30 p.m.
May 29, 31 (TBD) WIAA Sectionals 4:30 p.m.
June 7 at Madison WIAA State Tournament (TBD)
