Even though graduation left the Menahga fastpitch softball team with eight varsity spots to fill, head coach Brian Carlson expects another winning season from the Braves.
Among the key players to replace are pitcher Laura Dissmore, left fielder Kayla Stelzer, pitcher Jamie Maaninga and first baseman Jessica Cox. All four earned Park Region Conference honors.
Also gone are catcher Auburn Niemela, second baseman Heather Kako, shortstop Jayda Leritz and third baseman Cassie Torvinen.
Returning to lead the Braves this season are two all-conference players: senior Erica Cleveland and sophomore Hannah Dissmore.
Cleveland returns to play center field after batting .449 (35 for 78) with 40 runs, 17 RBI and 26 stolen bases. Dissmore returns to third base after hitting .394 (26 for 66) with 30 runs, 17 RBI and nine stolen bases.
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Also back with varsity experience are seniors Val Haataja (.298 average, 15 runs, 16 RBI) and Chelsey Miller (.300 average, three runs, four RBI); junior Courtney Burkman (2-0 record); and sophomores Megan Cleveland (.347 average, 23 runs, 15 stolen bases) and Rachael Bruer (.426 average, two runs). Haataja will start at first base, Miller will catch, Burkman will pitch, Megan Cleveland will start at shortstop and Bruer will start in left field.
Looking to fill the other starting spots and provide depth off the bench will be senior Ashley Merchant (outfield); juniors Nicole Berttunen (outfield) and Kari Johnson (outfield); sophomores Tammy Haapala (second base) and Brandi Leritz (outfield); and freshmen Katie Neisess (catcher) and Cassandra Carlson (pitcher).
The Braves opened the season with a 5-1 victory over Perham last Friday and a 4-2 win over Ottertail Central on Tuesday.
In the win over Perham, the Braves scored twice in the first inning on bunt singles by Megan Cleveland, Bruer and Erica Cleveland, an error and a sacrifice by Haataja.
Megan Cleveland led of the third inning with a bunt single and scored on Erica Cleveland's sacrifice. After a single by Hannah Dissmore, Haataja lined a two-run home run to give the Braves a 5-0 lead.
Carlson started and allowed four hits and one run over seven innings. Carlson walked two and struck out seven for her first varsity win. Megan Cleveland went 2 for 3 to pace Menahga's seven-hit attack.
Against OTC, a double by Haataja, a single by Dissmore and a two-run single by Miller produced the winning runs in the sixth inning.
An RBI double by Erica Cleveland and two errors gave Menahga a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.
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After OTC tied the game with two unearned runs in the fifth, Miller delivered the game-winning hit in the sixth.
Carlson again went the distance, allowing six hits and striking out seven. Miller went 2 for 3 to pace Menahga's six-hit attack.
