The Mishicot Indians were at a familiar place in early June 2024, playing at the girl’s state softball tournament at Goodman Diamond in Madison.
They’ve been there five times in the last nine years, and they came in undefeated, the number one seed in Division Three, and ranked first in the state.
Leading Laconia 2 to nothing with two out in the top of the seventh and two strikes on the hitter, it started to unravel for The Indians.
Two costly errors and a timely base hit led to three Spartan runs. Mishicot failed to push across a run in the bottom of the seventh, and they left Madison with a 3 to 2 loss and a bitter taste in their mouths.
That was the only blemish on a blessed season, and they came home wondering what could have been. Head Coach Dawn Shimek tells seehafernews.com that loss has fueled her passion for succeeding this season.
“We’ve been preparing for this season all summer and fall. What can we do differently to be better and accomplish all our goals.”
The Indians had a very potent offense in 2024, led by Katlyn Callahan and Cora Stodola, who combined for 20 home runs and 76 runs batted in in 30 games. They’ve graduated, along with center-fielder Cora Nelson. Shimek says they’ll be missed.
“We lost a lot of talent from last year, but a lot of new talent is coming in. It’ll be exciting and a challenge to see where all the pieces fit to be the best team we can be.”
Third baseman Karsyn Krause and shortstop Katlin Adair are back, along with catcher Kasey Brouchoud, who Shimek says have been leaders on and off the field.
Lefty Kieran Sanford returns for her senior season. She was 19 and 1 in the circle last year, throwing seven no-hitters, two of which were perfect games.
Her earned run average was a scant point-three-one, and she struck out 220 hitters, an average of ten a game. Shimek says she’s even better this year, sporting a devasting changeup.
The Indians will be more of a “Punch and Judy” offense early on, relying on their knowledge of the strike zone to get on base and team speed to manufacture runs.
They’ll open the season on March 27th, playing three games in three days during The Ripken Experience in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Shimek says this trip will serve “multiple purposes” in forming their team identity.
” It’s going to force us to get along, communicate with one another, and learn to like, but most importantly, respect one another. The weather is expected to be in the high sixties to low seventies, so we’ll get three games in and be just that much ahead of other teams when we come back and learn from playing top-notch competition”.
The Indians’ Head Coach hopes that the trip to Tennessee is the start of a fantastic journey that will end up back in Madison this June.
“It’s a goal that each softball player has, but it’s the journey along the way where you make memories and the fun you have as a team. It takes a bit of luck, but the journey is really what it’s all about.”
