Pickford softball looks to take next step
PICKFORD — Last season Pickford softball’s goal was to build a solid foundation.
The team accomplished that and now looks to take another step with their program.
Pickford continues its co-op with Maplewood Baptist Academy, but the program no longer includes Cedarville. The Lady Panthers fielded a young team last season with only two seniors. This year the Panthers have five seniors and 11 returnees on their 13-player roster.
Matt Hudecek is back in his second season as head coach.
“Last year was a learning process, both for the team and for me as a coach,” Hudecek said. “We were able to learn the game better, and improved as we went along. We found we can compete in the conference and the district.
“We know we can’t rely on last year though. It takes a lot of work to keep everything moving in the direction we want. After the high school season last spring, we had good participation in summer ball. There was more growth during the summer and now with another year of experience hopefully that will bring more improvement this spring.”
Pickford’s roster includes seniors Lizzie Storey, Lucy Bennin, Kennedy Guild, Morgan Fox and Ahna Prucha. Juniors are Madison Thurmes and Chloe Cottle, while sophomores include Ava Nettleton, Laura Bush, Anna Blenkhorn, Emma Wallis, Finley Hudecek and Chloe May.
“We have a big senior class to lead the way,” Hudecek said. “Those seniors have had success in other sports and bring a winning mentality. We have a lot of girls from the Pickford basketball team that went to the quarterfinals and many from the volleyball team that won the district.”
Pickford will again compete in the Straits Area Conference. The Panthers return three second team all-conference players in Bennin, May and Hudecek. Bennin has committed to play softball at Hope College. May finished with a .529 batting average, seven home runs and 35 RBIs in her freshman season. Hudecek was the Pirates’ No. 1 pitcher as a freshman.
The pitching corps gains depth this season as Ahna Prucha returns for her senior season after missing last spring with an injury.
The Panthers are coming off a season in which they finished 13-6 in a condensed spring schedule. Pickford lost 3-0 against Rudyard in last year’s district final.
"We have more depth as a pitching staff," Hudecek said. "We have four pitchers this year, where last year we relied mostly on two. Overall, our team depth is better throughout the lineup."
The Panthers are set to open the season Saturday at the Spring Swing Softball Invitational at the Superior Dome in Marquette. The event includes 25 high school teams from throughout the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Pickford is scheduled to play Lake Linden-Hubbell, Niagara, Wis., and Kingsford.
“We’ll know a little more about our team after this weekend,” Hudecek said. “With the weather we’ve had, we’ve been limited to practicing in the gym. I know all our area teams are in the same situation, just waiting for the snow to melt and anxious to play. At least we’ll get a look at live pitching and game action in the dome. We're excited to get started.”
The Panthers coaching staff also includes assistants Steve May, Ben Bush and Ashley Menominee.
Contact Sports Editor Rob Roos at rroos@sooeveningnews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @rroosTEN.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: Pickford softball looks to take next step
