Hartland Softball Ranked Fifth in the State

The Hartland Softball team, currently ranked fifth in the state, is gearing up for another successful season and looking to prove themselves on the field.

“We have to play like a fifth-rated team,” Hartland softball coach Carl Gabrielson said. “We can’t just rest on our laurels -- we have to prove that we belong there. Our goal this year is to win every tournament and win everything we can.” 

Fielding a young team of nine returning and three new players, the 12-person team only includes one senior, but Gabielson isn’t worried about the age. He says his team is full of talent.

“Not one of these kids lacks talent," Gabrielson said. "So as far as I’m concerned, we have twelve people who can start and that’s the big thing.”

Looking ahead in the upcoming months, the young team is looking for big rivals Howell and to be its biggest challenges. But sophomore Lindsey Pajot says she is confident in her team.

“We just have to pull together and I think we can accomplish our goals,” Lindsey said. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses on the field so we can help each other out with that.”

Being ranked fifth in state is exciting for the young players, but also “nerve-raking” according to junior Sarah Tomlinson who sees part of her team’s success stemming from how close they are and how well the players work together on and off the field. 

“We're all friends and we’re really close this year,” Sarah said. “So we’re going to work better as a team this year.”

Senior Dariean Bennington who is playing in her fourth and final season with the lady Eagles says it is “bittersweet” but is looking forward to a fun and successful season with her team.

“I’m hoping to go out with a bang,” she said.

2012 HARTLAND EAGLES VARSITY SOFTBALL ROSTER

• Lindsey Pajot- sophomore
• Ivey Garner- sophomore
• Shelby Hard- sophomore
• Dariean Bennington- senior
• Abbie Minsker- junior- Captain
• Caitlyn Collins- junior
• Karly Wilczewski- sophomore
• Sarah Tomlinson- junior
• Hannah Greene- sophomore
• Miranda Dziobak- sophomore
•  Chantel Olschanski- junior
•  Kaitlyn Hotchkin- sophomore 

Coaching staff includes: Coach Carl Gabrielson, Asst. Coach Dave Minsker, Asst. Coach Bob Mitchell and Asst. Coach Bob Greene

2012 HARTLAND VARSITY SOFTBALL SCHEDULE

MARCH

24 SAT    1:00 PM  @ LINDEN  2 GAMES      

APRIL

17 TUE    4:00 PM   @  LAKE FENTON 2 GAMES

18 WED   4:00 PM   @  WALLED LAKE CENTRAL 1 GAME

20 FRI     4:00 PM   H   HOWELL  2 GAMES

21 SAT      TBA    @ CHELSEA TOURNAMENT

23 MON   4:00 PM   H  MILFORD  2 GAME 

25 WED   4:00 PM   H  WALLED LAKE NORTHERN  1 GAME

30 MON   4:00 PM  @ WALLED LAKE WESTERN  1 GAME

MAY

 2 WED    4:00 PM   H BRIGHTON  2 GAMES

 4 FRI     4:00 PM   H WATERFORD KETTERING  1 GAME

 5 SAT       TBA    @ MICHIGAN STARS TOURNAMENT 

 6 SUN      TBA     @ MICHIGAN STARS TOURNAMENT

 7 MON   4:00 PM   @ WATERFORD MOTT  1 GAME

 9 WED   4:00 PM   @ GRAND BLANC  2 GAMES

14 MON   4:00 PM   H LAKELAND  1 GAME

16 WED   4:00 PM   H PINCKNEY  2 GAMES

18 FRI     TBA         @ UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT

19 SAT     TBA         @ UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TOURNAMENT

21 MON  4:00 PM       KLAA CONFERENCE

23 WED  4:00 PM       KLAA CROSSOVER