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2024 Season Info

2024 Season Recap

Prairie Du Chien (15-5 overall) took the Southwest Wisconsin Conference title a season ago. River Valley (13-11) took second. Dodgeville (13-10), Lancaster (11-10), Platteville (8-12), and Richland Center (3-13) finished out the SWC. River Valley would advance the furthest in the postseason falling to Adams-Friendship in the Sectional semifinal.

2025 Preview

2025 Predicted Order of Finish

1) Dodgeville
2) Prairie Du Chien
3) River Valley
4) Lancaster
5) Platteville
6) Richland Center

Players To Watch

Ava Lord Sr P/OF Dodgeville
Rylee Forsyth Sr OF Dodgeville
Claire Kennedy So P Prairie Du Chien
Irelynd Cejka Sr C Prairie Du Chien
Tessa Schlueter Sr P River Valley
Leah Makarowski Sr 1B River Valley
Maddy Hill Jr P Lancaster
Addison Morgan So C Lancaster
Kennedy Shea Sr P Platteville
Mikala Schnering So SS/P Platteville
Chloe Darling Sr 1B Richland Center
Carley Mieden Sr SS Richland Center

Team Previews

Dodgeville will be the favorite to take the top of the SWC this season. Head Coach Gene VanDyck, a 2024 WFSCA Hall of Fame inductee, enters the season with an estimated record of 524-203 and a Division 3 State Championship in 2021. The Dodgers most notable returnees are Ava Lord Sr OF/P (Madison College Commit) and Rylee Forsyth Sr OF. Other returnees include Kayla Brom Sr OF/IF, Lilly Wiegel Sr P/C, and Vanessa James Sr OF.

Prairie Du Chien graduated its main pitching in Scout Hall last season. The Blackhawks do return their second pitcher from last season in Claire Kennedy So as well as Irelynd Cejka Sr C, both who also put up numbers at the plate in 2024.

River Valley has a majority of its team back from 2024. Jane Briehl, a 2023 WFSCA Hall of Fame inductee who holds a 451-205 record, enters her 24th season as the Blackhawks Head Coach. Briehl mentioned, “We have a large majority of our team back from last year, but still have many roles to fill. Fortunately I think we know these players very well and will need to work to put together the best working group of players on the field. These players have a great foundation of physical skills and improved greatly last season. We are excited for this group to play together.” Leah Makarowski Sr 1B, Lydia Willoughby Sr 2B, Lexi DeViney Sr C. Destiny Gilbertson Sr IF, Tessa Schluter Sr P, Makenzie Woodhouse Sr P/3B/SS, Brooklyn Stokes Jr SS/OF, Ella Hillebrand Jr OF, Alyssa Nachreiner So OF, Josie Mahoney So UT, Ella Myers So 1B, and Kyllie Smith So OF Highlight the returning roster. River Valley has notable non-conference games with Poynette and Belmont and will participate in a tournament at La Crosse Logan and Wautoma.

Notable Losses: Hannah Hegland CF, Taya Hatfield 1B, Haylee Williams LF

Newcomers: Bella DeViney Fr Utility, Makenzie Woodhouse Sr P/3B, Ella Prochaska Jr OF

Lancaster returns much of its team from 2024 that could make some shake ups in the SWC standings this year. The Flying Arrows main returnees are Maddy Hill Jr P, Addison Morgan So C, Aleah Jackering Sr IF , Emma Jensen Sr CF, and Greta Jensen So SS.

Platteville will look to senior leadership this season. The Hillmen have several returning players and newcomers this season but will also look to build some confidence for sixth year Head Coach Vince Graney.

Returnees: Kennedy Shea Sr P, Jaxcyn Berntgen Sr UT, Emma Graney Sr CF,1B,

Gabby Key Jr 1B,C, Maggie Grabandt Jr LF, 2B, Mikala Schnering So SS/P.

Notable Losses: Delaney Johnson C, Alyssa Blevins SS

Newcomers: Alyissa Jones Sr OF, Maria Schmitt Sr 3B, OF, Lainee Pickel Jr OF, Jaelynn Slack So OF, Blake Knight So C,OF, Ryleigh Hinse So Utility, Quinn Temperley Fr OF, 3B

Richland Center has a new head coach this season with Jamey Gander taking over the program. Madelyn McGlynn Sr C, Carley Mieden Sr SS and Chloe Darling Sr 1B are the notable returnees this season. The Hornets have some promise with Freshman Kyree Fischer entering the circle this season.