McDonell has great expecatations for 2008

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By DAVID BOSSICK david.bossick@lee.net
Friday, April 11, 2008 11:31 PM CDT

Any hopes of McDonell’s softball team flying under any radars heading into this season were dashed early.

The Macks are the top-ranked team in the preseason by the Fastpitch Chronicle. If anyone thinks McDonell can go wire-to-wire and win a state championship without a challenge would be foolish.

“The Western Cloverbelt Conference is going to be one of the most balanced and toughest conferences in the state,” Macks coach Earl Larson said. “I can look at no less than six teams that I would consider serious challengers for the title.

“There are some real quality players returning this year on a number of teams and some very good pitchers coming back.”

West Cloverbelt league foes Altoona and Gilman are also state ranked. The Rails are rated fifth in Division 2 and the Pirates are ranked 11th in Division 4.

What makes the Macks so tough is a wealth of solid talent and a large number of veterans returning for this year’s campaign.

“We have eight of nine starters returning so if we were starting tomorrow, I would know who I would put where,” Larson said. “I want the younger players battling with the older players for their positions and trying to get to the varsity level so we field the best team we can have as soon as possible.”

Perhaps chief amongst the returning players from last season are Jessica Freagon, Ashley Meinen and Alecia McIlquham.

Meinen won second team all-state honors for the past two seasons as the team’s pitcher to go with first team all-league and first team all-district honors.

One of the highlights from last season for Meinen was a scoreless innings streak that stretched to 50, eventually getting snapped by Loyal.

Freagon and McIlquham are part of a solid infield for McDonell. Both girls won second team all-conference honors last season.

As Larson mentioned, the Macks did suffer a loss and it was a significant one, too. Erica Rubenzer graduated from the school, leaving a hole in the line-up and in the field.

“We will miss her leadership and her hustle on the field,” Larson said.

He’s simply hopeful that his team can stay in the hunt for another league championship while observers enjoy the ride.

“I know our seniors have set their goals high this year,” he said. “This is going to be one exciting season for the fans of good softball.”