Finally able to have a semblance of a more normal season, coaches Alison Friesleben (softball) and Bryce Tegtmeyer (baseball) felt it was a bit different while also witnessing some good things for the future of the overall programs.
Members of the baseball team were Owen Sweeney, Dietrich Woodley, Kiernan Bremmer, Kolton Hefti, Daniel Gomez-Juarez, Ethan Russel, Estuardo Lopez, Christian Herzberg, McCoy Yackle, Tate Jackson, Justin German, Ethan Hasty, Colton Johnson, Selvin Gonzalez, Tristan Kakacek, Brandon Stein, Cole Rethman and Clayton Loux.
“Middle school baseball this year was definitely different than years past,” stated Tegtmeyer. “Between me being a new coach, and the kids having missed a season due to COVID-19, I can honestly say the first few weeks did not go very smoothly. However, through the kids desire to improve we were able to finish the season with a few big wins and even a clutch walk-off. I think there’s a couple of real athletes coming up in those classes and it could turn the program around. Their work ethic is really what stood out to me, top to bottom. I had planned on running hour and a half practices, since most of the kids went to lifting before and the mid-day would pick up near the end. But they begged me to run longer so we went to two hours. Even still, I don’t think I ended a practice with anybody excited to go home. Kids are asking everyday to take extra reps. If they stay excited and keep everyone out the future is definitely bright.”
Members of the softball team are: (7th grade) Kayla Hasty, Claire Kirstein, Quinn Kruger, Sydney Munoz-Cruz, Amaya Schaffer, Tessa Waddingham, Kali Wharton and Tess Wibholm; (8th grade) Ellie Ennis, Kennedy Jackson, Graclyn Bremmer, Jordyce Duncalf, Sharisse Ayala and Shelby Warnke.
“The middle school team was great to work with!” said coach Alison Friesleben. “They were a very hard working, committed group of players. I was impressed with the improvements that I saw in the developmental skills as well as their knowledge of the game. They were very competitive with consistent fielding and they grew to be a very strong hitting team as well. I am very encouraged and excited about their contributions to the future of the CGD softball program.”
