Bluejays are off to a 7-1 start

Team plays Loggers one more time

Although the Athens varsity softball team lost its first game of the season on Tuesday, the squad gets another shot this Thursday, May 5, at beating Phillips. This time, Athens will play Marawood North Conference foe Phillips at home following its 2-0 road defeat to the Loggers.

The Bluejays still have a chance at earning a split in their regular-season series against the Loggers, just like they did in 2021. Athens also lost at Phillips last season before beating the Loggers at home. The Bluejays and Loggers shared the Marawood North Conference championship in 2021.

Athens softball got off to a blazing fast start this season with seven consecutive wins before Tuesday’s setback against Phillips, which improves its record to 10-1 this season. Phillips is ranked fourth in this week’s Wisconsin Fastpitch Coaches Association (WFCA) Division 4 poll, while Athens is ranked eighth in Division 5.

Athens head softball coach Craig Diedrich, who’s in the midst of his 22nd season in charge of the high school program, has a bevy of talented players back in 2022. The top returning players are senior pitcher Siarra Hart, junior catcher and centerfielder Elle Gauerke, junior right fielder Celina Ellenbecker, sophomore third baseman Addison Lavicka, sophomore first baseman Sydney Coker, sophomore centerfielder Paige Westaby, sophomore catcher and left fielder Jenna Handschke, sophomore second baseman Sophia Coker and sophomore shortstop Jazelle Hartwig.

The Bluejays’ top newcomers to this spring’s varsity squad are freshman catcher Abby Diethelm and freshman pitcher Danica Diethelm.

Athens concluded last season with a 16-9 record after losing, 3-2, to Hurley in a road WIAA Division 5 sectional semifinal. Athens cruised to capturing the regional championship following easy home wins against Prentice, 15-0, and Flambeau, 16-1, before defeating Drummond, 15-0, in the title game.

Coach Diedrich is hoping his 2022 varsity softball squad can be even more successful in the playoffs this season. Athens softball has never advanced to the state tournament in Madison.

“The 2022 Athens softball team has a great deal of individual talent and experience returning,” he said. “Like every year, it is my intention to coach our team to be competitive in every game we play. If we compete hard in every game, our talent and experience should help us be successful when the game ends.

“To win a conference title requires consistency from game to game, week to week. I pray our team is healthy and playing well in late May and early June. If so, we will be ready to make another deep WIAA tournament push.”

The Athens softball team’s 2022 theme is: Softball FAMILY, Back & Better! which the coaches and players created for its motto.

Athens varsity assistant softball coach Chris Czech is in the midst of his 20th season. His daughter, Emily Roesler, is in her fourth year as an assistant coach and Craig Diedrich’s daughter, Kyncaide Keefe, is in her third year as an assistant coach. This is Bill Coker’s second year as a softball assistant coach. Athens Middle School assistant coaches are Karissa Doyle and Kara Rudolph.

Coach Craig Diedrich is fortunate to have his ace pitcher, Siarra Hart, back in the pitcher’s circle this season.

“Siarra is our only senior on the 2022 team and having an experienced pitcher like her returning is always somewhat comforting to a coach because she knows what to expect,” he said. “Siarra is physically strong and has three pitches that she can use during the course of the game. Coach Czech and Siarra have developed a very effective coach and player relationship, in which both of them have grown in their role helping our team succeed. Siarra will need to continue pitching locations and preparing to compete every game.”

While having strong pitching, Athens also has big bats in its starting lineup as evidenced by the team’s 14-4 home victory against Marathon on Friday. Hart only gave up four hits in the complete-game win.

Gauerke batted two for four with four RBIs and a pair of runs scored against Marathon. Lavicka hit one for three with a walk and three runs scored, Hart was two for three with a walk and an RBI, Hartwig was one for three with a walk and a run scored, Sophia Coker was two for three with a walk, three RBIs and two runs scored, Handschke was two for three with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored and Danica Diethelm was two for three with an RBI and two runs scored in the victory.

“I am praying that our hitters continue to work every day to improve they’re hitting technique,” Craig Diedrich said. “If they continue to work hard and improve their individual swings, our team has the potential to hit very well this season.”