Winning conference, Section 7AA among goals
For International Falls’ softball team to be successful in 2011, head coach Kevin Gordon said defense will be a key.
“We need to be stronger both offensively as well as defensively,” said Gordon, who is in his 13th year as head coach. “Defensively we need to compete stronger from the mound and reduce the amount of defensive errors to be successful this season.
“We will need our top hitters to keep producing and our returners to step up their offensive production.”
The Broncos went 3-2 in the Arrowhead Conference and 7-12 overall last season. They return the entire pitching staff, including senior Sydney Gordon, a three-time Section 7AA team and Arrowhead All-Conference selection.
Her 2010 numbers include a 6-5 pitching record along with a .421 batting average — second highest on the team — and a team-high nine doubles.
“Returning (the) entire pitching staff should provide more stability on the mound,” the coach said. “We should also be stronger offensively because our top average hitters and power hitters are back.”
The team’s top hitter for average in 2010, junior second baseman/pitcher Morgan Bruess, returns after hitting .440 and registering four triples.
Falls’ leading returning long-ball hitter from last season, sophomore outfielder/catcher Olivia Santee, batted .420, the third highest average on the team, when she slugged five homers, tying the single-season record.
Other top returning players include three seniors — first baseman/pitcher Amanda Hofius, outfielder Jenni Discenza and pitcher/outfielder Haily Pollard.
A key graduation loss is catcher/shortstop/outfielder Kara Kennedy, who had a batting average of .397 and set the school’s all-time home run record at seven.
Given four other losses from the infield and outfield, Gordon said he is concerned about how Falls will play in the field compared to last season.
He said he is looking forward to the Bronocs “find an identity as a team that battles on both sides of the plate and competes.”
The team’s goals in 2011, Gordon said, are to win the Arrowhead Conference and the Section 7AA.
He said the conference teams to watch are Cherry, Mesabi East and Eveleth, while Hermantown, Virginia and Greenway should be the teams to watch in the section.
