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2024 Season Info

2024 Season Recap

Melrose-Mindoro (15-7 Overall) took the Dairyland Large crown a season ago. Blair-Taylor (12-9) Placed 2nd. Augusta (8-13), Eleva-Strum (11-10) and Whitehall (5-12) finished out the Large Division. Eleva-Strum advanced the furthest in the Postseason falling to State Qualifier Auburndale in the Sectional Final.

2025 Preview

Note: The Dairyland Large plays 10 games against Dairyland Large Schools and a single Crossover game against all Dairyland Small schools. Osseo-Fairchild also moved from the Cloverbelt West to the Dairyland Large this season and Blair-Taylor Moves to the Dairyland Small and Independence/Gilmanton moves to the Dairyland Large.

2025 Predicted Order of Finish

1) Eleva-Strum
2) Melrose-Mindoro
3) Augusta
4) Osseo-Fairchild
5) Whitehall
6) Independence/Gilmanton

Players To Watch

Ruby Bartholomew Jr Eleva-Strum P
Emma Severson Sr Melrose-Mindoro P
Hailey Hiles Sr Melrose-Mindoro C
Maddie Frauenkron Sr Melrose-Mindoro IF
Rachel West Jr Augusta OF
Laney O’Brien Fr Augusta P
Hailey Knudtson Sr Osseo-Fairchild 3B
Taylor Johnson So Whitehall SS
Carson Coburn Sr Whitehall C

Team Previews

Eleva-Strum has a deep, experienced roster and have their sights set on competing for a Dairyland Large Conference title and making another deep playoff run. Ruby Bartholomew Jr P will be a major force after earning First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District, and All-State Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore along with 8 Seniors (Olivia Norby 2B, Cedela Lonetree-Rindahl 1B, Lizzie Nordstrom C, Kenny Turenne OF, Terris Quick OF, Jaelyn Knutson OF, Abi Birdsill UT, Brenna Turenne UT) Highlight the Cardinals Squad. "This is a close-knit team. They trust each other to get their jobs done, have each other’s backs, and focus on controlling what they can while maintaining a positive mindset." Says Coach Amanda Pronschinske who has led the Cardinals for 11 non Consecutive Seasons.

Newcomers: Karli Hart Fr, Braylin Lueck Fr, Maddea Brown So SS/P and Mariah Steffenson So 3B.

Melrose-Mindoro returns a majority of its team from 2024 that placed 1st in the Dairyland Large. The Mustangs Top Returnees include Hailey Hiles Sr Catcher/IF (committed to Viterbo University, All conference 3 years), Cooper Zeman Jr SS (All conference 2 years), Bella Rozek-So IF/P (All conference and All District Honorable Mention as freshman), Emma Severson-Sr P/IF-(started as a pitcher every season) and Maddie Frauenkron Sr IF (4 year starter). 5th Year Head Coach Lindsay Rozek mentioned that their returning starters, strength on both sides of the innings, and Having 3 Options at Pitching are Strong Points for the Mustangs and smaller overall numbers will present a challenge. Melrose-Mindoro will participate in a Triangular with Regional Opponents Cashton and Luther this season.

Notable Losses: Ayla Reuter OF and Brielle Werner OF
Newcomers: Kelsey Young Fr

Augusta looks to improve off last year's 3rd place finish and first playoff win since 2019. Joe Zawacki enters his 2nd year as Head Coach and has been in the Program since 2012 says “We return everyone from a year ago, We only have 1 Senior and 2 Juniors, We are Young, Throughout the season, we will start 10 different freshman/sophomores. Our everyday lineup will probably have 7 or 8 of those girls in it. This season will be an opportunity to show our girls how hard it is to win softball games in late May/early June. Last year we relied on 1 pitcher, but this season we will have two. We are fortunate to play in a tough Conference and adding some good NC games, I know we will be tested and it will be tough, but I am willing to lose a few games this season to show our girls where we are at and what it takes to get where they want to go”

Returnees: Rachel West Jr 3B/OF (2nd Team All Conference last season), Brooklyn Krueger So P, 
Cecelia Schroeder SO C.
Newcomers: Laney O'Brien (Freshman Pitcher)

Osseo-Fairchild will make the transition from the Cloverbelt West to the Dairyland Large this season. The Thunder look to be strong in PItching and look to build up overall experience. Justin Johnson enters his 2nd year as the Head Coach for Osseo-Fairchild and has Brylie Johnson So P, Hailey Kundtson Sr 3B (2nd team AC) and Bryssa Johnson Sr 1B as notable returnees.

Notable Losses: Hallie Colby-SS, Chloe Gunderson-CF, Hanna Giacomino-2B, Addie Koxlin-OF
Newcomers: Alexis Ness-3B/C;  Madison Lafkey- INF/OF.

Whitehall Head Coach DJ Johnson says they have a great offensive team and look to Taylor Johnson So SS (2nd team all conference 2024), Carson Coburn Sr C (2nd team all conference 2024,) and Kelsie Klomsten Jr P to lead the team this year. The Norse have Notable Non Conference Games against Altoona and Neillsville and see Melrose-Mindoro and Eleva-Strum as conference and regional headliners.

Notable Losses: Ashlyn Clatt-P, Olivia Killian-3B, Kylee Estenson-OF

Independence/Gilmanton graduated 3 Seniors (Emma Cowen, Adison Proschinske, and Leah Sylla) in 2024 and Return 3 Players (Danica Ekern So C/3B, Sarah Roskos So 2B/OF, and Catherine Kampa SO 1B/OF) from 2024. The Indees will have a young look with 3 Sophomores and 7 Freshman listed on this year's Roster. Freshman include Leah Stegerwald 3B/OF, Harper Symicek C/3B, Hannah Ekern P/SS, Breely Kampa 2B/OF, Ava Williams SS/OF, Hadley Sylla SS/OF, and Katelyn Kampa P/1B/OF.