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2024 Season Info

2024 Season Recap

Stevens Point (23-3-1 Overall) captured the Wisconsin Valley Title a season ago, D.C.Everest (20-7) placed second, Wisconsin Rapids (15-9), Marshfield (13-15), Wausau West (12-11), Merrill (7-17), and Wausau East (7-16) finished things out. Stevens Point and D.C. Everest each fell in the Sectional Semi-Finals a season ago.

2025 Preview

2025 Predicted Order of Finish

1) D.C. Everest
2) Stevens Point
3) Wisconsin Rapids
4) Marshfield
5) Wausau West
6) Merrill
7) Wausau East

Players To Watch

Addison Kluck Sr P D.C. Everest
Sydney Holberg Jr IF Wisconsin Rapids 
Annabelle Ross Sr IF Wisconsin Rapids
Delaney Varsho Sr IF Marshfield
Madison Kraus Sr IF Marshfield
Addie Peskie Jr C Stevens Point
Kaitlyn Klismith Sr SS Stevens Point
Sophia Abundez Fr P Stevens Point
Claire Calmes Sr SS Wausau West
Mackenzie Herdt So P Merrill
Baley Berndt Sr C Wausau East

Team Previews

D.C. Everest is the favorite to capture the Wisconsin Valley this season. Seven starters return for the Evergreens, who will be led by Addison Kluck Sr P(18-6 136 IP 274 Strikeouts 0.36 ERA Conference POY), outfielders Brooke Brown Sr (26 RBI 24 Runs Scored, Kelsey Meverden Sr and Sydney Spear Sr (34 Hits 23 Runs Scored, 18 RBI .453 avg), and infielders Mara Meverden Jr (14 Walks 30 hits), Kelsey Woolley Sr and Taylor Freidel Sr. Fourth year head coach Katie Shulfer mentioned that they have a strong pitching rotation, speed on the bases, high softball IQ, and great team chemistry. D.C. Everest will look to make a deep playoff run and sees the usual heavy hitters of SPASH, Chippewa Falls and New Richmond as top teams.

Notable Losses: Dakota Witucki SS and Caitlyn Kressel C

Newcomers: Lauren Semrow Sr SS, Aubrey Klatt Jr C and Piper Schulz Jr DP

Stevens Point graduates both its pitchers from last season but will have plenty of varsity experience returning for Tom Drohner. Drohner has 28 years as the Panthers leader and a career record of 598-105, eight state championships, 24 regional titles, and 24 conference championships. "We have tremendous team speed, we had 135 stolen bases as a team last year," said Drohern "We have a lot of varsity experience as a team with a lot of kids with two-plus years of varsity softball coming back. Biggest question is that we have unproven pitchers. There is talent there but we have five innings of varsity experience." Addie Peskie Jr Catcher, Kaitlyn Klismith Sr SS, Jordan Roth Jr OF, MIkah Keller Sr 2B, Morgan Groshek Sr OF, Aubree Itzen Jr OF, and Emma Ribberich Sr P/3B are the notable returnees for Stevens Point this season.

Notable Losses: Maren Sauvegeau P, Delilah Abundez P

Newcomers Callie Diekhus Fr, Natalie Esselman So, Sophia Abundez Fr P

Wisconsin Rapids will look to finish in the top half of the Wisconsin Valley again this season. 11th year head coach Isaac Holberg (127-82) says defense, hitting and pitching in that order will be team strengths for the season. With no notable player and position losses for the Red Raiders, they will rely on several returnees and newcomers this season. Sydney Holberg Jr (1st Team All-Conference infield, HM All District in '24, Vernon College commit) will look to anchor the team this season. Wisconsin Rapids will be hosting a Quad and pair up with regional opponents Hudson and New Richmond, a state qualifier a season ago.

Other Returnees: Annabelle Ross Sr (HM All Conference Infield '24, St. Cloud State commit), Gabby Nellitz Sr (HM All Conference Outfield '24), Sophia Nelson Jr (HM All Conference Pitcher '24), Layla Patraw Jr C, Kristin Radtke Sr OF

Newcomers: Rachel Linzmeier Jr OF, Payton Jaminski Fr P.

Marshfield returns a good nucleus this season with Delaney Varsho Sr (Bryant & Stratton commit), Madison Kraus Sr (UW-Eau Claire commit, 2nd team all-conference), Lillian Griesbach So C (2nd team all-conference). Fourth year head coach Becky Linzmeier mentioned, “I view our youth as a strength because my players are very talented and driven. I see our ability to hit the ball and play defense as a strength. Getting the reps and in-game experience for these players will be the key as the season progresses.” The Tigers wasted no time on getting the season started by playing in the Danny Mac Tournament in the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander during the first week of competition.

Notable Losses: Katelyn Sternweis P, Shylah Brogan OF, Ashlyn Barwick OF.

Newcomers: Avery Kelnhofer So P/OF, Madilynn Cole So OF, Lydia Garvin Jr IF, Molly Fox Fr P/IF/OF, Rhyan Costa So IF, Laila Oppman So IF

Wausau West graduated All-Conference picks Autumn Hughes and Allison Kirsch in 2024. The Warriors return All-Conference selections Claire Calmes Sr SS (2nd Team, Wisconsin Commit) and Taylor Liebelt Sr UT (Honorable Mention). Other notable returnees include Baylen Hulstrom Sr IF/OF, Taylor Deffner Jr IF, Sadie Peissig Sr IF, Molly Mushinske Sr OF, Addie Heil Sr and Makenna Gale Sr.

Notable Losses: Autumn Hughes OF, Allison Kirsch P,

Merrill has big shoes to fill with the graduation of eight in 2024. The Bluejays have potential in the circle with sophomore Pitcher Mackenzie Herdt who pitched a majority of the innings last season. Dani Schielker Sr is the only other notable returnee for Merrill. They will be joined by many new players this season.

Newcomers: Mackenzie Ellenbecker Sr, Keeley Benedict Jr, Gabby Wheeler Jr, Abbie Krueger So, Kendall Klug Fr, Lilly Hoff So, Miley Krueger So, Reese Kaminski So, Grace Hoff So, Olivia Barker Jr

Wausau East graduated three All-Conference selections (Claire Coushman,Tristen Young,Graysen Burger) in 2024. The Lumberjacks do return Honorable Mention selections in Baley Berndt Sr C and Carlie Kluz Jr UT in 2025. They are joined by seven sophomores, two other juniors, and one freshman.