ARGYLE — In 2019 the Orioles won the program’s first softball conference title, only for the 2020 season to be wiped out due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Play resumed in 2021, and the Orioles again won the conference title, but again were knocked out of the WIAA Division 5 tournament earlier than expected.
This season, the core players of the past few seasons return for their senior ride — hoping to cap their careers at the game’s highest state: The state championship.
“As with any team I coach, I always have high expectations,” said head coach Heidi Ganshert. “We have a senior-heavy team this year that has a plethora of softball knowledge and skill. I would like to finish at the top of the conference and make a solid tournament run, as all head-coaches do. My expectation of my team is that they work hard, build each other up, and enjoy the game. If they can do all of these things, success should be the result.”
Returning for the Orioles is Ganshert’s daughter, Grace, a senior who was the Six Rivers East Player of the Year in 2021, as well as first-team all-district and second-team all-state as a pitcher. Other first-team all-conference returners include seniors Maggie Godfrey (CF) and Megan Johnson (2B), plus seniors Chesney Leigh (SS), Jenny Helfvogt (3B), Lindsay Connors (OF/1B), Breann Flannery (1B), Claire Mathys (OF) and juniors Hannah Gierhart (OF) and Kyleah Mick (IF).
Unable to return for the Orioles is senior Victoria Lantz, first-team all-conference catcher and a starter since her freshman year and one of the league’s top hitters. She also missed this past basketball season with a leg injury.
“Filling Victoria Lantz’s shoes in the catcher position is going to be tough. Tori and Grace had such chemistry as a pitcher and catcher that is almost irreplaceable,” coach Ganshert said. “Tori’s bat will also be greatly missed this season. Last season she was one of our leading hitters with two home runs and 20 RBIs. Throughout the season, she had numerous other key hits in big situations.”
Newcomers include a trio of freshmen: Ava Weigel (C), Mya McNett (Util/P) and Sara Helfvogt (OF).
With the injury to Lantz, Wiegel, also a catcher, will “have some big shoes to fill, but I have all the faith that she can rise to the challenge,” coach Ganshert said. “McNett brings some help on the mound this season and is a talented up-and-coming player who can provide depth in the infield and outfield. Sarah Helfvogt has the potential to bring some key hitting and fielding skills.”
Despite all the talent returning and the drive to have a memorable season — nothing comes easy in the Six Rivers East. Juda-Albany finished as the state runner-up in Division 4 last season, and Barneveld reached the sectional final in Division 5, defeating Belmont, which knocked off Argyle in the regional final. Pecatonica also has a talented roster and could be in the mix for the league title as the season winds down.
“If you want to watch good competitive softball there is no better place in the state than Southwestern Wisconsin. We have some excellent teams and the competition is fierce,” coach Ganshert said. “Juda-Albany, Barneveld, and Pecatonica will be tough teams this year on the eastern side of the conference. On the west, there are Belmont and Highland that have been historically very successful as well. All of the teams mentioned have excellent pitching and some key batters.”
