Softball: Warriors hope to contend for CLC, section titles

Brainerd Warriors

Head coach: Shane Jordan, 2nd season

2015 record: 9-4 Central Lakes Conference, 16-8 overall

Returning starters: Maddy Stall, Brooke Mimmack, Maddie Ellingson, Kylie Lange, Lexi Roby, Elaina Christiansen.

Assistant coaches: Tim Hill, Amy Aho, Kevin Johnson, Amy Holm, Angela Jelinski

Volunteer coaches: Dave Ellingson, Darwin "Doc" Johnson, Dawn Evans, Lindsey Jourdan

Captains: Maddy Stall, Brooke Mimmack, Maddie Ellingson, Kaye Smude

In his first season as head coach, Shane Jordan directed the Brainerd Warriors to the Section 8-3A championship game where they lost to Becker.

Becker went on to finish fourth in the 3A state tournament, an achievement Jordan hopes the Warriors will make an annual goal.

"The girls are working really hard," said Jordan, whose team is scheduled to open with a home doubleheader Thursday against Moorhead. "I love our communication on the field, I love our camaraderie. We talk a lot about togetherness, about team, and our girls have come together well. They're getting along. That's huge in girls sports. I'm proud of that so far.

"We want to win the conference, we want to get back to the section championship game, which was a lot of fun for us last year. Within that, we have smaller goals, game goals, inning by inning, at bat by at bat. We know little things mean a lot. We take every pitch seriously, every at bat, every inning, go out there and play to the best of our ability."

Complicating Brainerd's quest to attain those goals is the implementation of 4-class softball this spring by the Minnesota State High School League. The Warriors are in Section 8-4A with Bemidji, Buffalo, Elk River, Moorhead, Rogers, St. Cloud Tech and St. Michael-Albertville. Buffalo won the Section 6-3A title. Elk River was state champion in 2013.

"It definitely will be more of a challenge," Jordan said. "The section just got far more difficult. But we like a challenge. We're coming back with a little more experience. You don't get to choose who you play. We'll line up against whoever it is and I like our chances."

The Warriors return seniors Maddy Stall, Brooke Mimmack and Maddie Ellingson, junior Kylie Lange and sophomores Lexi Roby and Elaina Christiansen.

Stall, who will catch and play outfield, hit four doubles and a triple, drove in 12 runs and batted .378.

"Maddy's a real good leader, a 3-sport captain, which tells a lot about the kind of kid she is," Jordan said. "She will catch a little bit and play outfield. She's the kind of kid you definitely want to have in the game. She has a strong bat, she always puts the ball in play. She's pretty much a clutch hitter and we expect that again this year."

Mimmack, who plays first base, batted .304 with three doubles, a triple and nine RBIs.

"Brooke's a solid first baseman," Jordan said. "She catches everything. She has a great arm so she's able to do some things like not being satisfied to get only one out in the infield. She can throw the ball around a little bit.

"We want a little more from her at the plate. She's working hard on her hitting this spring. We expect a lot from her at the plate."

Ellingson, who ripped six doubles, a home run and knocked in 12 runs, hit .360. She will bat first in the order.

"She's exactly the type of kid you want as your leadoff hitter," Jordan said. "She can bunt, get a base hit, hit the gaps, hit it over the fence. She's a smart hitter and a fast runner. She's the epitome of a leadoff hitter and we love to have her in that spot."

Lange led the team in hitting with a .444 average. She had eight doubles, a triple and a home run with 12 RBIs.

"Kylie came in as a sophomore and just played tremendous," Jordan said. "She played right field last year. She could play right field, second base or shortstop this year. She's a kid who will do whatever is asked of her for the best of the team. We know we're getting a hard-working kid, a kid who makes plays, a kid who just pounds the ball all over the place."

As a freshman, Roby started at shortstop and hit .353 with three doubles, a triple and 10 RBIs.

"Lexy's a naturally gifted athlete, a 3-sport athlete," Jordan said. "She can do a little bit of everything. She can bunt, she's fast, can hit for base hits and hit for power as well."

Christiansen was the team's second-best hitter with a .414 mark. She delivered two doubles, two triples, two home runs and 12 RBIs. She will start behind the plate again.

"She really controls the game behind the plate," Jordan said. "She will catch an awful lot. She's super fast, probably the fastest kid on our team. She's smart, has a great arm, a tremendous bat, a really good swing. She's a coachable kid who wants to get better. She wants us to challenge her and we are in practice challenging her every day to get better."

Pitching may be the Warriors' biggest unknown. Senior Maren Hadrits and junior Jillian Ewald backed up the graduated Madi Hill who threw all but 21 innings last season. Sophomore Olivia Sedlachek and freshman Jordyn Sullivan are also in the running.

"Those four are fighting for a varsity spot," Jordan said. "We're going to play whoever gives us the best chance to win. They've all been great in practice. All are throwing hard, doing what you ask them to do. They've been a fun group to work with. It's nice to have some options."

Jordan said three players are vying to play second base-Lange if she's not in the outfield, senior Brandi Burbach and sophomore Cassidy Zontelli.

"Brandi's got a good glove," Jordan said. "She's little bit feisty as a hitter. She can slap, bunt, put the ball in play for a base hit.

"Cassidy's come in and surprised us a little bit. She has a great glove and good softball instincts. She needs to improve a little bit at the plate, but she's got a chance to play."

In addition to Lange, outfield candidates include seniors Adriana Hanson, Kay Smude and Jayda Johnson and juniors Hanna Degen, Richelle Bjork, Sadie Jordan and Vanessa Britton.

"Kay's super fast," Jordan said. "She's got a really good arm. At the plate, she's one of those kids who could hit it over the fence at any time. We're looking for her to step up this year and see what she can provide."

Jordan believes the program receives a boost from the success that alums like Nikki Anderson (Minnesota), Sara Wennerstrand (St. Benedict), Madi Veith (Concordia Moorhead), Faith Kassulker (Central Lakes) and Hannah Munsch (Central Lakes) are enjoying.

"One of the things I did when I got this job is I told myself I'm not only the high school coach. I'm not just coaching for this. I'm promoting my kids to the next level," he said. "I've reached out to all those kids-I know them all anyway, I coached them before-and they've been back to our practices and open gyms.

"I talk to our girls all the time about those girls. I talk to our girls about where do you want to play at the next level? Let's find you a spot to play. That's something I take serious with my job. I'm excited about our kids going on to play at the next level."

Warriors roster

• Seniors: Jayda Johnson, IF/OF; Kaye Smude, OF; Maren Hadrits, P; Brandi Burbach, IF; Adriana Hanson, OF; Maddie Ellingson, IF; Maddy Stall, C/OF; Brooke Mimmack, IF

• Juniors: Kylie Lange, IF/OF; Jillian Ewald, P; Vanessa Britton, IF-OF; Mykala Griffin, IF; Sadie Jordan, OF; Hanna Degen, OF; Richelle Bjork, IF/OF

• Sophomores: Lexi Roby, IF/OF; Cassidy Zontelli, IF/OF; Elaina Christiansen, C/OF;

• Freshman: Jordyn Sullivan, P/IF

• Eighth-grader: Clare Ceynowa, C/IF

Warriors schedule

April 7, Moorhead 4 p.m. (2)

April 14, Alexandria 5 p.m.

April 18, Rocori 4 p.m. (2)

April 26, at Sartell 5 p.m.

April 29, St. Cloud Tech 5 p.m.

April 30, Brainerd Invitational: Brainerd vs. Centennial 11 a.m., Brainerd vs. Duluth Denfeld 1 p.m., Brainerd vs. Anoka 3 p.m.

May 3, at Sauk Rapids 4 p.m.

May 6, at Bemidji 4:30 p.m.

May 10, Willmar 4 p.m. (2)

May 12, Sartell 5 p.m.

May 13, at St. Cloud Apollo 4 p.m. (2)

May 17, at St. Cloud Tech 5 p.m.

May 19, at Fergus Falls 5 p.m.

MIKE BIALKA may be reached at mike.bialka@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5861. Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bertsballpark .