Many New Faces on Cyclone Softball Team
Launch the media gallery 1 playerDespite just losing one senior from last year, Cassi Rayback, it is a year of many new faces for the Cyclone softball team as they begin their 2024 season, rebuilding their team with eleven new incoming players and three new coaches.
This year the Cyclones have 22 athletes participating, including two seniors, Jordyn Ratzlaff and Adyson Krupka, both from Howells-Dodge.
The juniors consist of Jocelyn Donnelly, Nevaeh Zulkoski, and Lexis Gleason of Leigh, and Hannah Cech and Emma Burnhardt from Clarkson, as well as Eva Martin and Annemarie Slaughter of Howells-Dodge.
The sophomores include Reese Bruhn, Reann Bruhn, Grace Hansen, and Rebecca Hastreiter from Leigh, as well as Allie Dirkschneider, Madison Compton, and Autumn Slaughter of Howells-Dodge.
Rounding out the team are 5 freshmen, including Matelyn Rayback, Shaylynn Marty, and Ariyah Ross of Leigh, Bailey Rios from Clarkson, and Brittney Faltys of Howells-Dodge.
There is a new head coach this year: Drew Machmueller, who was previously an assistant coach. He is assisted by Tiffany Rayback, Payge Rayback, and Brianna Ruwe.
Jordyn Ratzlaff, senior for the Cyclones, said, “With only losing one senior last year, we have some varsity experience coming back to us this fall. I have a lot of hope for us this season and I’m ready to get on a roll.”
The Cyclones have had one game so far this season on Thursday, August 22. As well as the first game, it was also the first home game held in Leigh against Polk County.
The Cyclones started off strong in the first two innings working hard and battling, but Polk County stayed on a strong run. The Cyclones could not respond back to the Slammers’ lead losing the game 2-13. The Cyclones have some growing to do, but they have time to do it.
“I thought we struggled at the plate and it resulted in us not being able to put much pressure on Polk County’s defense,” said head coach Drew Machmueller. “If we continue to grow throughout the season, we will be just fine.”
Good luck to the Cyclones this season!