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2024 Season Info

2024 Season Recap

New Richmond (21-4 overall) took the Big Rivers crown last season, Chippewa Falls (24-6) placed second. Hudson (11-7-1) took 3rd. Menomonie (11-9-1), Eau Claire North (11-12), Rice Lake (16-11), River Falls (8-17) and Eau Claire Memorial (3-19) finished things out. New Richmond advanced to the State Tournament, falling in the Quarterfinals to Milton in extra innings. Chippewa Falls and Rice Lake (Division 2) were also Sectional Finalists.

2025 Preview

2025 Predicted Order of Finish

1) Chippewa Falls
2) New Richmond
3) Hudson
4) Menomonie 
5) Eau Claire North 
6) Rice Lake
7) Eau Claire Memorial
8) River Falls

Players To Watch

Lauren Shepherd Jr C/1B Chippewa Falls
Violet McIlquham So P Chippewa Falls
Brier Blietz Sr C New Richmond
Catelyn Swanepoel Jr IF New Richmond
Carly Meyer So OF Hudson
Paige Adrian So 1B/OF Hudson
Amanda Holzhueter Sr P/IF Menomonie
Olivia Sample Sr C/SS Menomonie
Ally Quaschnick Sr P Eau Claire North
Riley Fischer Sr 2B Eau Claire North
Ava Anderson Sr C Rice Lake 
Maddie Rowe Sr SS Rice Lake
Lindsay Duerkop Jr 2B/Of Eau Claire Memorial
Evelyn Kolar Sr IF/P Eau Claire Memorial
Alexis Ralston Sr CF River Falls
Audra Adermann Jr P River Falls

Team Previews

Chippewa Falls did graduate a large senior class in 2024 but it's never safe to rule the Cardinals out of conference contention as the program has claimed 14 of the previous 20 titles. The Cardinals bring back two all-conference selections in Violet McIlquham So P and Lauren Shepherd Jr C/1B. Also of note returning is Makenna Bauer Sr IF and Roz Tyman Sr 2B.

Notable Losses: Paige Steinmetz, Makenna Johnston, Emma Mclllquham

New Richmond looks to build off one of its best seasons in school history this year but will have to do without Brooklyn Swanepoel, Kennedy Joachim, and Amelia Brinkman to graduation. The Tigers do welcome back Brier Blietz Sr C (1st team all-conference, 1st team all-district, Honorable Mention all-state Committed to St. Thomas), Catelyn Swanepoel Jr IF (2nd team all-conference, Honorable Mention all-district, Committed to Winona State). Head Coach Lynzi Knudtson enters her eighth season as the head coach for New Richmond stated their strengths are, "Hard-working, returning leadership, drive, and determination and that they are somewhat in a rebuilding year, and finding a new identity with a lot of new players.”

Newcomers: Lauren Raleigh, Fr P/UT, Kendall Fehrman Fr P/UT

Hudson has a relatively young team that will look to compete in the upper half of the Big Rivers this season. Leading the way is all-conference returnees Carly Meyer So OF and Paige Adrian So 1B. Also returning is Maddie Schwab Sr SS/OF, Brynn Hayes Sr C, and Haley Carlson Sr IF/OF. The Raiders will also see immediate impact from Brenna Oberle Fr and Allie Dombrowski Fr.

Notable Losses: Ella Brooks, Evelyn Wolfgram, Anya Weiler

Menomonie graduated just two in 2024 including all-conference selection Emma Dean 3B. The Mustangs have a good portion of their team back from 2024 including all conference selections Amanda Holzhueter Sr P, Olivia Sample Sr C/SS, Sierra Auth Sr P/OF and Maci Marlett Sr P. Marlett will look to be the top hurler for the team in the circle this season.

Eau Claire North returns its top pitcher Ally Quaschnik Sr this season. The Huskies will also look to returning players Riley Fischer Sr IF and Grace Fuerst Sr C. Newcomers to make an impact are Ashlynn Mallett Jr DP, Abbi Kosterman Fr, and Emma Goldbach Fr.

Rice Lake returns much of their team from 2024 that made it to the sectional final the last two seasons. The Warriors return all four of their all-conference selections from last year in Ava Anderson Sr C/IF, Madi Rowe Sr SS, Kamryn Kunz Sr P and Emily Kalina Sr OF/P. The Warriors are expected to take advantage of the drop down effect once again and look for a State Tournament berth for the first time since 2017.

Eau Claire Memorial returns both 2024 Honorable Mention All-Conference selections Ella Ray Jr SS/P and Lindsay Duerkop Jr 2B/OF this season. The Old Abes also have their pitching back from last season in Mackenna Dohms Jr and Taylor Benike Jr. Kaylee Gunderson OF, Brianna Berlin C are also part of the Old Abes strong junior class returning. Evelyn Kolar Sr IF is the teams top returning Sr this season.

River Falls graduated its three all-conference selections in 2024. The Wildcats also have a new head coach this season with Leah Fletcher taking over the program. The Wildcats do return its innings in the circle in Audra Aderman Jr and have back top hitters Alexis Ralston Sr CF, Morgan Kivel Jr 1B/C and Jorgia Bengston Sr 2B. Hudson Walker Fr, Caitlyn Moe Fr, and Jasmine Schwantz Fr will look to make an impact this season as well.

Bonus coverage

Due to Superior being in the MSHL affiliated Lake Superior Conference, they will be added to this preview.

Superior plays in the Minnesota State High School League-affiliated Lake Superior Conference with Duluth Marshall, Duluth Denfeld, Proctor, Cloquet, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Rock Ridge and Hermantown. Outside of the conference the Spartans play mostly Big Rivers teams and will also find their way around the state against other teams. Melania Luostari Sr IF/OF (44 Hits 31 RBI 7 Home Runs .595 avg), Paige R Johnson Sr C/3B (38 Hits 8 Home Runs 21 RBI .521 avg), Ari Robillard Sr P (13-4 32 IP 76 Strikeouts) are some of the teams top returnees. Other returnees include Paige B Johnson Sr OF, Mattie Schilling Sr IF/OF, and Halle Visger So C/1B/OF.