Stratford softball: A lot of moving pieces

MARSHFIELD – The Stratford High School softball team is experienced, but inexperienced.

At least that is how Head Coach Mandy Pankratz describes this year’s squad in the early part of the season.

“We’ve moved a lot of kids around, and we’re still trying to figure that out,” explained Pankratz, during our recent conversation. “We’re trying to figure out the pieces of the puzzle, getting that feel for who’s coachable, who’s going to keep working, who’s going to take the feedback and run with it. Our numbers are smaller than they’ve ever been, so just trying to figure out those pieces with our returners, and I think the way we look now as a team when we put a lineup out there is probably going to be different when it comes to the end of May.”

Pankratz says softball is a “pitching sport,” and the Tigers have senior veteran Tria Tubbs anchoring that position this season.

“Tria’s definitely our ace and she’ll throw the majority of our innings,” Pankratz told us. “Tria’s doing a good job of making sure she hits her spots. Over the years Tria’s become a kid that used to just kind of throw and use her power, and now she’s really become a kid that is pitching and she’s hitting her spots and she’s changing speeds and understanding how to work those batters a little bit.”

As a junior, Tubbs was named 1st Team All-Conference, had a .442 batting average, knocked in 26 runs and hit 4 home runs, pitched 69.2 innings, had a record of 8-4 as a starter and recorded 65 strikeouts.

Senior Gracie Schmidt is another four-year starter who was an All-Conference Honorable Mention last season, with an .896 fielding percentage at shortstop and a .240 batting average.

“Gracie’s just one of those kids that just is always eager to learn more about the game of softball,” said Pankratz. “Even as a four-year starter, she feels like there is still more for her to learn and she just is incredibly coachable, takes feedback, is willing to make adjustments in situations, so lucky to have her back as an anchor in our infield.”

Senior Gracie Krummel is a staple in the Stratford outfield who hit .308 as a junior last season.

“She hits the ball hard,” said Pankratz. “She’s kind of a tough out. Teams often have a tough time getting her out because she tends to put the ball in play for us and has some decent speed, so that helps us on the base paths.”

Senior Alaina Bangart is new to the varsity lineup this season and will compete for time at first base.

“Probably look for her to do a little DP’ing (designated player) or pinch-hitting at times as well,” Pankratz said.

Alyssa Bargender is another returning senior for the Tigers this year, and will split most of her time between first base and the outfield.

“She’ll also throw some varsity innings for us,” Pankratz shared. “She’s not overpowering by any means, but hits her spots and changes speeds really well.”

Senior Lucy Zaleski will spend most of her season in the infield for the Tigers.

“Lucy is just one of those kids I think that everybody would tell you is everybody’s favorite teammate,” Pankratz told us. “She is just a ball of energy all the time. She is supportive, always has everyone’s back. She is definitely our most-vocal player. And she’s really working hard right now. She’s playing some first base and doing well offensively as well.”

Junior second baseman Dakota Knetter was an All-Conference Honorable Mention last season, with a .382 batting average.

“Had a really nice offensive year for us last year,” Pankratz recalled. “Really came on toward the postseason. She is just kind of one of those consistent batters who just puts the ball in play and makes defense play defense.”

Junior Madalyn Kraus is a varsity newcomer this season.

“Nice little lefty in the batter’s box with speed, so looking for her to do some things,” said Pankratz. “She had some nice at-bats in our dome tournament (in Rhinelander) and runs the bases well, and then plays some outfield.”

Junior third baseman Madelyn Kroening is another returning starter from a season ago.

“Really improved her arm strength this year,” Pankratz said. “Offensively, she didn’t hit a lot for us last year, but she was determined to make sure that that changed a little bit for this year, and we’re really proud of her because she’s really working hard and making adjustments to her swing and that’s paying off for her.”

Junior Carly Pankratz is a returning 1st Team All-Conference player with a .418 batting average and 30 runs scored a year ago.

“Carly’s a three-year starter for us,” said Coach Pankratz. “She’s mainly played centerfield for us, but she could play anywhere on the diamond. She’s going to have to go behind the plate a little bit just because she does so well in handling Tria and just kind of controls the other team’s running game a little bit and plays some great bunt defense.”

Reese Spindler is a versatile sophomore who got some varsity innings last season both in the outfield and infield.

“Outfield will kind of be her home a little bit, but she will also pitch for us,” Pankratz shared. “She’s not over-powering, but hits her spots and changes speeds and she’s really worked hard in the offseason as well.

Freshman Courtney Knetter has caught some innings early on this season, but will serve as a utility player in many positions and situations.

Freshman Adelynn Meyer will platoon with others in the outfield as well.

The Tigers are coming off of an 18-8 season a year ago, including a 6-4 record in the South Division of the Marawood Conference.

“The Marawood South for any girls’ sport, I think everybody would say, is one of the toughest conferences around here, and that will be no different for softball this year,” said Pankratz. “We are loaded in the Marawood South. We will see good pitching every single night. I expect a great deal of growth from this group from the beginning to the end of the season.”

Pankratz, now in her 20th season at Stratford, has an overall record of 246-151 with the Tigers.

“It’s always the kids,” she said, when asked what keeps her coming back. “Each year is a unique group of kids and I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of these groups through from the 8U years and 10U years all the way through their high school years, and that’s what I think every coach feels, is that energy of what the kids bring to you, and it keeps you a little young as well.”

After making an appearance at the WIAA State Tournament in Div. 4 in 2023, the Tigers lost in the Sectional Semifinal round of the playoffs the following year, before losing a Region Final last season.