Pulaski’s Vertz the Co-Player of the Year in FRCC

Pulaski High School’s Morgan Vertz was named the Co-Player of the Year in the Fox River Classic Conference after a huge junior season on the softball diamond.

Vertz landed on the all-conference first team as a pitcher, but also starred at the plate for the Red Raiders. She shared the Player of the Year honor with Green Bay Preble sophomore Katie Geydoshek.

Vertz was an absolute workhorse for Pulaski, pitching in all 18 conference games. She covered 100⅓ innings, striking out 153 batters and walking just 19.

She finished with a 1.68 earned run average after allowing just 24 earned runs. Vertz earned 14 of the team’s 15 conference wins.

“It’s been an end goal of mine to earn this award (Player of the Year) before my high school career is over and obviously it worked out in my favor this year, but none of this would have been possible without my teammates so in a way this award goes to my team as well,” said Vertz.

Vertz finished fifth in the conference in batting average (.474), tallying 27 hits across FRCC play. She had 11 extra-base hits in that mix, with four homers.

Vertz drove in 27 runs and scored 14 times. She walked more times (10) then she struck out (4).

“This honor will continue to keep me hungry for more and to do better in every practice,” said Vertz, who is a University of Northern Iowa commit.

Pulaski junior Cassie Benberg and freshman Molly Molthen joined Vertz on the all-conference first team. The Red Raiders didn’t have a second teamer, but had seniors Hailey Wiedeman and Nicole Berna each land on the honorable mention list.

Benberg made the first team as an outfielder.

The junior hit .400 in conference games, collecting 22 hits along the way. She had six extra-base hits, including three homers, to go along with 15 RBIs, 15 runs scored and seven walks.

“It’s a great feeling to have your hard work recognized by other programs, especially those who also have tremendous talent,” said Benberg. “Going into this season, I really just wanted to focus on developing my mental side of the game and bettering myself as a teammate, including being the best I can be on and off the field. I think that I accomplished that goal pretty well, and we as a team accomplished that too.”

Molthen, who made the first team unanimously as an infielder, finished third in the conference with an eye-popping .527 batting average, finishing with 29 hits. She was the only conference player to score 30 runs, with the next closest being 26.

Among her 29 hits, seven went for extra bases. She drove in 13 runs and finished with three times as many walks (15) as strikeouts (5). Molthen also stole eight bases.

“It’s very special to be unanimously voted as a freshman to first team among a talented list of great players,” said Molthen. “I am very proud of the recognition and thankful for the opportunity to play with a great group of people. I attribute the successful season to the Pulaski coaching staff and most importantly to all my supportive teammates. It wasn’t just about one single player — it was about accomplishing our team goals.”

Berna finished her conference season out with a .328 batting average. She posted 20 total hits, drove in 15 runs and scored 15 more. Five of her hits went for extra bases.

Berna made the list as an infielder, while Wiedeman was honored as an outfielder.

Wiedeman recorded a .319 batting average in FRCC games. She drove in 10 runs on her 15 hits and also scored 16 runs. She also was credited with five sacrifices on the season.

Pulaski finished 15-3 in conference play, finishing a game behind Green Bay Preble. The Red Raiders won a regional title before being eliminated by Preble in a sectional semifinal.

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