Swartz, May share CWC-North’s top honor

The Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division was made up of just four softball teams this spring, with the three area teams in the conference making up a good portion of the all-conference lists.

Tigerton senior Abby Swartz and Bowler/Gresham junior Emma May shared the Player of the Year honor after big seasons at the plate.

Swartz collected 14 hits, including three homers, in conference play to finish with a .467 batting average. She also walked 16 times to contribute to a .652 on-base percentage.

The senior drove in 14 runs and scored 21 times. She also stole 18 bases and struck out on just three occasions.

“Having the absolute honor of being named Co-Player of the Year is a dream come true honestly,” said Swartz. “Some people know last season I was out-voted for Player of the Year by a single vote.

“It was my goal this year to be a strong enough player in the coaches’ eyes to get the title. It’s a blessing they believed I was considering my stats and performance wasn’t to the same level as last year. I’m excited to finish my high school career for sports with a very high note.”

May starred for the co-op, tallying 21 hits, including five extra-base hits, for a .583 average in CWC-North play. She walked six times and was plunked by eight pitches to finish with a .700 on-base percentage.

The junior drove in 20 runs, stole six bases and scored 27 times.

“Being named Co-Player of the Year really means a lot to me. My hard work and commitment being recognized is what makes it such a meaningful achievement to me,” said May. “I am thankful for my coaches and teammates and the roles they have played in helping and challenging me on and off the field. This will further encourage me to keep getting better and working hard to hopefully be recognized again in the future.”

Senior Skyler Hauser and junior McKenzie Hoffman joined teammate Swartz on the all-conference first team, while Dan Hoffa was the conference’s Coach of the Year after guiding the Tigers to the title. Junior Elizabeth Stueck and Maycee Carlson, freshman Lillian Welch and sophomores Jade Selle and Angel Welch all made the second team.

May was joined on the first team by junior teammates Maddie Haffner and Weengeetah Mohawk. Sophomores Ava Paiser and Autumn Thiex made the second team, while junior Josie Cerveny and sophomore Mataya Hill were honorable mentions.

Marion seniors Dacotah Yonker and Nora Wiesman were also first team selections this spring. Senior Britney Much made the second team, while junior Hailey Krueger landed on the honorable mention list.

Tigerton’s Hauser made the first team for her work at the plate and in the circle.

Hauser recorded 22 hits for a .667 average. She walked 13 times and had a .761 on-base percentage. The senior stole 32 bases, drove in 14 runs and scored 22 times.

In the circle, Hauser earned all 10 of the team’s conference wins. She struck out 41 batters across 49 innings.

“Making all-conference first team my senior year means a lot. Our team has had such a successful season this year between conference champs and all the conference awards, and I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it all,” said Hauser.

“With this being my last high school sports season ever, I am so grateful for the specific award I have been given. It feels so nice to see my hard work pay off and be able to go out with a bang. I sure am going to miss this sport with all my heart.”

Hoffman was another on-base machine for the Tigers, getting on at a .609 clip. She had a .438 batting average after posting 14 hits.

Hoffman drove in 14 runs, stole 22 bases, walked 13 times and scored 19 runs.

“This award means everything to me. All my hard work and hours of practice has paid off, not just for me but also for my team when we won conference,” said Hoffman.

“This motivates me for next season because I’m going to have to work equally as hard, maybe even harder to keep a spot like this. I will continue to work with my coaches and teammates who have helped reach this goal of mine.”

Haffner posted 14 hits in conference play to achieve a .389 average. She was on base at a .551 clip after walking nine times. She drove in 16 runs and scored 17 times.

Haffner also pitched for the co-op, but none of her pitching statistics were available.

“I was very surprised by getting all-conference, it really is an honor,” said Haffner. “I have learned so much this season, from my coaches, teammates, and from some very nice people that were willing to share what they know about softball with me. This really makes me want to get better. I used to spend all of my time in the gym, now I want to make time to get out on the field.”

Mohawk made the first team despite missing a couple conference games with an injury.

She posted 13 hits, seven of which went for extra bases, on her way to a .520 average. She had a .700 on-base percentage after drawing five walks and being hit by 10 pitches.

Mohawk tripled three times and homered twice, drove in 23 runs and scored 20 times.

“It really meant so much, I love my team and I wanted nothing but to lift them up and make us better as a whole,” said Mohawk. “It really motivates me to want to get even better than what I was this year, and come back from my injury stronger so I can play the full season.”

Yonker served as Marion’s catcher, while Wiesman was honored as a pitcher.

No Marion stats were available by press time.

“Being able to make first team as a senior makes all my hard work over the past years worth it,” said Yonker. “It makes me feel accomplished because last year I made second team and the year before I made honorable mention. So it makes me feel like I made all the improvements I could have made.”

“Making first team is a huge accomplishment on its own, but being able to it my senior year made the whole experience feel even better,” said Wiesman. “Even though our season may not have went exactly how we planned it to, receiving that award really wrapped up my high school softball career and all of the hard work and dedication that went into it. I was extremely happy to receive that award.”

Marion’s Much made the second team as a designated hitter.

Tigerton’s Stueck had a big season at the plate to land on the second team. She hit for a .435 average and was on base at a .639 clip after 12 walks. Stueck drove in eight runs on 10 hits, stole eight bases and scored 13 times.

Carlson posted 14 hits in conference play to record a .400 average. She drew 13 walks and was on base at a .562 clip. Five of her 14 hits went for extra bases, helping her drive in 18 runs. She stole 17 bases and scored 18 runs.

Selle accumulated 17 hits in CWC-North games for a .607 average. She had a .761 on-base percentage after drawing 17 walks. Selle stole 30 bases, drove in 15 runs and scored 24 times.

Angel Welch mainly earned her all-conference nod for her hitting, put also pitched five innings.

The sophomore posted a .545 average after collecting 18 hits, five of which went for extra bases. She walked 10 times and was on base at a .659 clip. Selle also stole 18 bases, drove in a team-leading 21 runs and scored 17 times.

Lillian Welch hit .500 in conference play after posting 15 hits. Her on-base percentage was .634 after walking 10 times. Welch swiped 17 bases, drove in 11 runs and scored 23 times.

Bowler/Gresham’s Paiser earned her second team honor for her hitting and pitching.

Paiser earned four wins in the circle, striking out 20 batters over 21 innings. At the plate in limited games, she got on base 10 times for a .684 on-base percentage. She drove in seven runs and scored 10 times.

Thiex doubled four times among her 10 conference hits and got on base at a .558 clip. She drove in 18 runs, walked 10 times and scored 12 runs.

Hill earned her conference honor after tallying 13 hits and drawing nine walks for a .625 on-base percentage. She drove in 17 runs and scored 19 times.

Cerveny totaled 11 hits in CWC-North play, driving in 12 runs and scoring 15 times. She also walked seven times and was on base at a .512 clip.

Krueger landed on the honorable mention list for the Mustangs as a first and second baseman.

Tigerton won the conference crown with a 10-2 record. Bowler/Gresham came in second at 8-4, while Marion was third at 4-8.

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