Most of the players taking the field on Littlefork-Big Falls’ softball team in 2011 will be noticeably different from a year earlier.

That’s because only three with varsity experience return as Mike Imhof begins his ninth year as head coach.

The 2010 team went 13-10 and finished the season strong before losing 3-2 to Silver Bay in the second round of the playoffs.

Key personnel losses from last season include catcher Elizabeth Wilke-Bobst, shortstop Hannah Hell, Emily Trappe at third base, and outfielders Hannah Larson, Haylee Gates and Kari Imhof.

The trio of top returning players includes sophomore pitchers Kristy Horne Dunn and Courtney Pfeifer and junior Paige DeLack at shortstop.

“Kristi Horne Dunn and Courtney Pfeifer will have to carry (the pitching) load,” Imhof said. “Until new players get used to their positions, Paige DeLack will be key to (the) infield at shortstop.”

Imhof said the newcomers to the varsity are good athletes, though they need time to gain experience.

“We’re very young, so the core of players to work with will be around for 2-3 more years,” he said.

Imhof said the team’s goals in 2011 are to win the Northern Lakes Conference and make it to the “Final Four” in the playoffs.

He said he expects Cherry, Mesabi East and Nashwauk-Keewatin will be opponents to watch out for this season.

Vikings lose opener

It took extra innings before the Littlefork-Big Falls softball team would go down to defeat Monday.

The Vikings lost their season opener in eight innings to Lake of the Woods, 4-3.

L-BF head coach Mike Imhof said the Vikings had a good showing on defense, but their inexperience showed up at the plate when Lake of the Woods senior pitcher Shelby Nosan recorded 17 strikeouts.

“We’ve just got to put the ball in play,” he said.

Of L-BF’s five hits, Kristy Horne Dunn and Cassy Hawkinson each had two.

Horne Dunn pitched the first 2 1/3 innings for the Vikings before being relieved by Courtney Pfeifer, who took the loss after finishing the game. Both pitchers each recorded five strikeouts while allowing two hits and three walks.

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