Sports
Wayzata's Youthful Softball Team Has Big Goals for Season
The Trojans return three seniors this spring, but coach Amber Hegland said the team is preparing for a Lake Conference title.
WAYZATA TROJANS SOFTBALL
Last season: 11-11
Conference record: 6-6 (4th, Classic Lake Conference).
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Section 6AAA results: def. Robbinsdale Cooper 2-0, lost to Orono 4-3, lost to Richfield 4-0.
The Wayzata softball team might be young, but the Trojans won’t lack experience as they prepare for the 2011 season. Wayzata lost one senior to graduation a year ago—outfielder Chloe Rod—and look to return a wealth of talent led by seniors Mikayla Greely, Meg DuPuis and Bri Adams.
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“We have our seniors being great for us, and our younger kids are passionate and committed to the game of softball,” coach Amber Hegland said. “They’re pushing the older kids, and the older kids are giving them the foundation for what we expect.”
Key returning players
Leading the way for Wayzata is DuPuis, a senior shortstop who will play for the University of St. Thomas next year. DuPuis is the anchor of the infield, Hegland said, and offensively she brings an understanding of how to approach pitching.
Greely will lead the Trojans in the outfield, while Hegland said Adams has the ability to play anywhere in the infield. Junior pitcher Jessica Williams will be the team’s main arm and will try to build off last year’s experience.
Key losses
The Trojans lost outfielder Chloe Rod to graduation. Hegland said Rod had impeccable form in the field, which she passed along to Greely and the rest of the outfielders.
Conference outlook
Hegland said the team believes and expects its can win the new Lake Conference this season, and their main competition might be Minnetonka. The Skippers went 9-3 while winning the Classic Lake a year ago—giving up 1.7 runs per game.
“If teams are going to beat us, they’re going to beat us because they’re better than us, not because we’re not prepared,” Hegland said.
Section outlook
Wayzata went 6-4 against section opponents a year ago, including 1-2 in the Section 6AAA tournament. To make a state trip this year, the Trojans will likely need to get through perennial power Orono as well as last year’s section champion Richfield.
