APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University softball team is looking to reload, not rebuild, this spring.
The Vikings lost first-team All-America shortstop Amanda Jaskolski and top pitchers Liz Barthels and Kara Vance to graduation. On top of that, All-Midwest Conference and All-Great Lakes Region catcher Sam Belletini will miss the season due to a medical issue.
What the Vikings do return is five senior position starters and a senior pitcher from a team that went 28-12 last season, won the MWC’s North Division and finished second in the MWC Tournament.
“Of our six seniors, five of them have been consistent four-year starters. There’s a lot of experience that returns to the field,” said Lawrence coach Kim Tatro, who won her eighth MWC Coach of the Year award in 2015. “Our plan will be to rely on everyone rather than have just one or two great hitters. We have newcomers that are pretty explosive at the plate as well.”
The returning Vikings are paced by two-time all-conference pick Anna Wawiorka, who will move from third base to behind the plate because of Belletini’s absence. A prep catcher, Wawiorka hit .309 last season, piled up 18 extra-base hits, drove in 29 and will be backed up by rookie Sophie Carter.
With Wawiorka now catching, sophomore Kori Looker moves to third, a position she played in high school. A starter in the outfield last season, Looker hit .333 and drove in 18.
The graduation loss of Jaskolski is tempered because of the addition of sophomore shortstop Meg Krautsch. A transfer from Ripon College, Krautsch had a fine rookie season by hitting .326 with three homers and 13 runs batted in.
“What we do have a is a pretty good alternative (to Jaskolski),” Tatro said. “It’s impossible to replace (Jaskolski), but having Meg come over from Ripon was great. She already has college experience, and she was one of the stronger shortstops in the conference.”
The right side of the infield has two returning veterans in senior Katie Schumacher and junior Marisa Thackston. Schumacher started at first last season and hit .295 while Thackston started at second and hit .265.
Lawrence also returns starters Savanna Marsicek in center field and Tierney Duffy in right. Duffy hit .390 last season and Marsicek hit .264 and drove in 22 runs with 11 extra-base hits. Rookies Rachel Urich and Sofie Pedersen could play left, and Urich also plays second base and pitches.
Rounding out the returners is senior designated player Taylor Dodson, a .325 hitter a season ago.
Lawrence’s pitching relies on senior Jessica Demski and freshman Maddie MacLean. Demski went 4-0 last season, including a huge win that helped the Vikings clinch the North Division title, with a 3.00 earned run average. Demski is more of a control pitcher while MacLean brings greater velocity to the plate.
“Jess really proved herself at the end of last year. She had limited opportunities, but when we needed her the most, she was there,” Tatro said. “We don’t have two pitchers that are similar. I think that makes us collectively a better staff.”
The Vikings have a stern test to start the season with 12 games over the course of a week beginning Friday in Clermont, Fla.
“It’s about everybody stepping up and everyone doing their part,” Tatro said. “If we have to be more creative, playing some small ball and utilizing some speed we’ll do that.”