BRODHEAD — In 2022, Brodhead finished second in the Rock Valley Conference with a 15-3 record, going 19-5 overall. In the playoffs, the Cardinals shut out Watertown Luther Prep 6-0 in regionals before falling to Cambridge 2-0 in the regional final. 

This year, they are poised to raise the bar.

“We want to develop a climate within the program that models character, discipline and hard work,” head coach Steve Krupke said. “If that occurs, we should improve on last season’s record.”

Brodhead’s No. 1 strength will be its pitching, with ace McKenna Young on the mound. The senior, a First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-District selection a year ago, has already committed to play Division I softball at the University of South Dakota.

In 16 appearances, she has thrown three shutouts and one no-hitter. Young allowed just one hit in another three games. She struck out 171 batters with just 14 walks for an average of 10.6 strikeouts per appearance.  

As if Young wasn’t intimidating enough, Brodhead’s No. 2, Ava Risum, isn’t to be overlooked. Just a sophomore, Risum was a First-Team All-Conference pitcher as a freshman and is already getting attention from college coaches.

Risum made 12 appearances last year, recording three shutouts. She struck out 119 batters for an average of 9.9 strikeouts per appearance. She walked just six batters all season — in six games she didn’t issue a walk.

Junior Sophia Leitzen made one appearance with two strikeouts. She is primarily an infielder, though. In 2022, she earned First-Team All-Conference honors as an infielder and is also in the recruiting process.

Taetum Hoesly — who will play softball at the College of Lake County — has the responsibility of catching the hurlers. She has proven up to the task, earning First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-State honors a season ago. While she is solid behind the dish, she also produces at the plate.

Jaelyn Hilliard rounds out the All-Conference returners, collecting Honorable Mention accolades last year as an outfielder.

These five — Young, Risum, Leitzen, Hoesly and Hilliard — accounted for 15 of Brodhead’s 17 home runs. Young led with eight homers, followed by Hoesly with three, Leitzen two and Hilliard and Risum with one apiece. The remaining two came from 2022 graduates Cora Hafen and Daisy Nelson.

Other returners include seniors Alexis Kammerer — who will continue her volleyball career at the University of Dubuque — and Macayla Lang, as well as junior Jerrica Schwartz.

Krupke believes sophomores Tatum Ceslok and Kyla Miller could also make an impact at the varsity level.

Jefferson appears to be the toughest opponent, according to Krupke. Beloit Turner and McFarland will also be contenders.