Abby/Colby softball team is ready
The 2022 edition of the Abbotsford/ Colby co-op softball team is ready to hit the field, and is hoping to make some noise this season as they welcome in a mix of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers.
It’s early going ins in the season, but thus far the co-op has done well, defusing the Spencer Rockets 16-0 in their home and season opener in Colby on Monday, April 11. Returning head coach Laura Kniefl is hoping to see more of the same this season as the co-op takes a stab at the Eastern Cloverbelt title. Joining Kniefl in the dugout with the Abby/Colby softball team this year will be assistant coaches Al Kneifl, Austin Depner and Markia Smith. The team is smaller than Kniefl would like, consisting of just 14 players, but of those players who are on the squad, there is some definite talent for Kniefl and company to work with.
The co-op lost their lone allconference selection to graduation last year. That would be Emma Oelrich, who finished as a second team all-conference selection.
Thankfully, the co-op brings back some players who have years of experience, and it all starts with returning Abbotsford High senior Aleah Graff, and Colby High senior Kya Viegut. Both players were starters on last year’s squad and not only do both provide leadership, but also some needed firepower on offense.
Graff in particular showed off power on Monday, cracking a home run against the Rocket’s pitching while also posting three runs, five RBIs, two singles and one sacrifice fly.
Graff was not the only one to make solid contact with the ball in the co-op’s season opener. Colby High’s Kylie Orth and Abby High freshman Tatum Bargender bashed the ball for hits and RBIs.
Bargender is certainly one to watch, after she took the win at the mound against Spencer, striking out four Rockets and finishing with a gaudy stat line in the batter’s box. Bargender had three runs, a single, a double and an RBI.
After Monday’s game, the Tribune caught up with coach Kniefl to discuss the 2022 season, the players, the coaches and teams’s expectations, as well as potential strengths and weaknesses.
“Our strengths are pitching and fielding,” said Kniefl said, identifying those two traits early on.
As far as weaknesses, the co-op proved it has some heavy hitters on April 11, but it’s the game within the game that will decide how successful the Abby/Colby co-op will be. In other words, the fundamentals and energy, Kniefl says, will largely determine the success of this year’s softball squad.
“Our weakness is bringing intensity to the field. Anything can happen at any moment,” Kniefl said. “The hitting has improved from last year and also fielding the ball.”
Kniefl has a firm idea of whom her pitching crew will be, and after the first game of the season, Bargender stood out, fanning four batters in four innings. Hailie VanLuven is expected to share pitching duties with Bargender, and Kniefl is still working on nailing down which other athletes will be spending time up at the mound.
Kylie Orth showed she can hit the ball, and Haylee Soyk and Harrison Schmitt are also expected to bring some firepower to the co-op’s cause.
Sierra Strassburger is another player that will be counted on to make plays and provide leadership and ramp up the energy when the team gets low.
Newcomers Hallie Van Luven, Harrison Schmitt and Lucia Perez will provide help in practice and will rotate between positions until Kniefl finds a spot where she believes they can thrive.
A big goal for the team is to finish at or near the top of the Eastern Cloverbelt, and to collect a winning record after last year’s squad went 6-14 overall and 5-7 in league play.
Another goal would be to win a playoff game as the co-op has been dusted in the first round of regionals the last few years.
The co-op’s biggest competition in the conference will likely be Gilman, Neillsville/Granton and Columbus Catholic.
It’s very early on in the season, but with the mix of vets and newbies, the co-op has the tools and talent to do well.
