2007 Softball Preview
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After several strong years culminating in a conference championship season last year, the Bear fastpitch program features a number of new faces. After head coaching stints in Maine and Massachusetts, Nat Wagner arrived in Minnesota three years ago and has been coaching actively in the Plymouth/Wayzata travel ball program since, serving as Director of Player Development and working as a clinician and hitting instructor. Having recently served as a Blake Varsity Assistant coach last year, he now takes the reins of a young but exciting team. Joining him with the Varsity squad is co-coach Jaimee Bohner who, after a distinguished career as a standout catcher at Augustana and South Dakota State University, returned to serve as an assistant coach with the Jackrabbits, helping that program to develop into an up and coming Division I fastpitch program. Jaimee also brings to the table valuable youth coaching experience, having coached with perennial travel ball powers the U-18 Minnesota Blizzard and Mankato Peppers. The Junior Varsity squad also falls this year to new leadership, as Stacy Oeltenbruns and Kari Lenzendorf head up the Junior Varsity squad. A personal trainer and fastpitch instructor, Stacy brings a wealth of experience to the JV diamond, and Kari, who played at Hamline, complements Stacy her sound great knowledge of the game and youthful enthusiasm.
The Varsity roster also sports a new look. After graduating strong senior classes over the last two years, the Bears look now to rebuild around their two returning all-conference captains: first baseman Beth Davis and catcher Laura Waldman. While this year's squad will find several talented underclassmen and newcomers initially vying for positions and supporting roles, one thing remains clear - there is great talent and depth in the youth movement at Blake. This squad should improve markedly over the course of the season and could well surprise people by the time sectionals roll around.
The Bears begin their season April 9th at home, facing off against the team that knocked them out of sectionals last year, Jordan. They then follow up with three more challenging conference games against Visitation, Saint Anthony Village and Saint Croix Lutheran. Though they see tough competition early, these contest should help a young team forge a solid approach that will serve them well down the road.
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