Bonduel softball team must blend experience with new varsity players

Like many teams across the state this spring, the Bonduel High School softball team will try and fuse its experienced players with several underclassmen to put together a strong season.

Bonduel, which is coached by Chris Reinke, does not return any all-conference players from the 2019 season. But the team does have several experienced players back on the roster as it prepares to play in the always-tough Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division.

Senior Halea Sporisky will serve as a leader for Bonduel’s outfielders, while fellow senior Joanie Wudtke helps the team’s pitchers from her catcher position.

Juniors Julia Lorbiecki and Nicole Koeller will help fill out the outfield.

Junior Claire Gehm was the team’s top pitcher a couple seasons ago, but she’ll have some more help this season.

Reinke says sophomore Nakiyah Henning and freshmen Hailee Thompson and Hailey Zernicke could also spend time in the circle. All three players will play in the infield.

Sophomore Macy Niles is another option in the infield for the Bears. Freshman Lila Pleshek can play all over the diamond, including catcher.

“We will be young and inexperienced due to losing our season last year,” said Reinke. “Some really great freshman coming in that have great softball knowledge. We have several pitchers to work with this year, so that is encouraging.”

While the upperclassmen know the varsity game, they also know team success could depend on how quickly the underclassmen get acquainted with the elevated level of play.

“As a senior on the team this year, I plan to try and help make them (underclassmen) feel as comfortable as possibly with us upperclassmen,” said Sporisky. “I know it’s very intimidating coming up to the high school level with the older girls, but I hope I can help them make a smooth transition and just overall have a fun, successful year.”

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