The spring of 2023 was a dream season for the Marshall softball program. A senior-heavy squad finally broke through in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) state tournament. The Cardinals knocked off longtime postseason foil Poynette to win a regional title before bowing out in the Division 3, Sectional 3 semifinals.
The price of that regional title was the graduation of a talented six-member senior class as well as the resignation of head coach Erin Young. The cupboard is far from bare within the program from a talent perspective, and Marshall brought in quite the qualified candidate to lead the program.
Kevin Knudson is the new head coach of the Cardinals, and his credentials speak for themselves. He’s a 24-year coaching veteran with a 342-64 record that includes stints at Almond-Bancroft, Park Falls, Barneveld, and Oakfield before coming to Marshall. His 2021 Oakfield squad won a WIAA state title. Overall, Knudson has overseen 17 conference champions, 13 regional titles, and six sectional runner-up finishes.
“Erin (Young) built a great program here,” Knudson said. “I want to thank and praise her for all the hard work she put in. I am fortunate to have a chance to coach here, too. I knew this team had a history of success. I wanted to bring my experience and hopefully keep up that winning tradition. The talent is here.”
He inherits a Marshall squad that hasn’t lost a Capitol — South conference game since 2022. The Cardinals are reigning undefeated conference champions and bring back a handful of all-conference selections to take another run at it.
Headlining this group is the reigning conference Pitcher of the Year and first team selection, sophomore Kennedy Weisensel. She led Marshall in innings pitched with 91 and allowed only 27 runs over that time last season. Her ridiculous strikeout count of 108 had much to do with that dominance. Weisensel won 10 of the 11 games she started and also came in to record a save. Beyond conference accolades, Weisensel was also named first team all-district by the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA).
Joining Weisensel on that all-district team was her catcher, junior Sydney Stuntebeck, who made the honorable mention list. At the plate, Stuntebeck connected on a team-high nine doubles along with a triple and a homerun. This huge collection of extra-base hits led her to a team-high in RBIs with 30. She collected the highest batting average on the team at .407 to go along with a .570 slugging percentage. She was perhaps equally as valuable as the team’s catcher. Stuntebeck caught four batters sealing on the year. She led the team in putouts with 147 and committed only two errors. Naturally, this effort also earned her first team all-conference honors in the Capitol — South.
Two more Cardinals return this season with all-conference recognition already in their careers. Senior Mollie Fritter burst onto the scene last spring as one of the liveliest bats in Marshall’s lineup. She landed on the first team thanks to her efficiency in scoring runs/ She brought around 15 RBIs despite only collecting 26 hits on the season. She posted the team’s second highest slugging percentage at .492 thanks to four doubles and a triple. Fritter also came in to score 13 times and had one of the team’s highest batting averages at .400.
Senior infielder Naomi Dahl has twice been named second team all-conference as both a freshman and junior. She was a pivotal member of the defense at second base last season and was no slouch at the plate, either. She produced 24 hits and drew another six walks for a .293 batting average. She would come around to score 15 times and drove in nine RBIs of her own.
The veteran experience doesn’t end there, either. Seniors Emily Brodbeck and Kate Luzenski were integral pieces of that regional title team from last season, as well, and will have more room to flourish on this year’s squad. Brodbeck is a lethal second pitching option behind Weisensel and will also contribute to the effort in the outfield. Luzenski has been a reliable bat in the order and will likely step in as the team’s first baseman.
“I still feel like we have a really strong team,” Brodbeck said. “Everyone seems excited to get back to it. A lot of these girls helped us get so far last season. We already have a strong team chemistry and all get along really well.”
A few younger Cardinals will have to step up on the left side of the infield. Freshman Carly Checky enjoyed a strong season on the volleyball court this past fall. Now, she’s being challenged to take on the role as starting shortstop in softball. Junior Makayla Nemec, known best for her three point shooting in basketball, will fittingly step up at third base this spring.
Marshall’s quest for another successful spring has already begun. The Cardinals whomped non-conference Johnson Creek 14-2 in a season-opening road contest on Tuesday, March 19. Weisensel and Brodbeck split the pitching responsibilities. Weisensel threw four innings with 11 strikeouts. Brodbeck handled the last two, allowing only one hit to close out the win.
Weisensel was similarly dominant at the dish. She went 2-3 with two doubles and a walk drawn. She came around to score all three times she got on base. Dahl also went 2-3, drawing a pair of walks and coming in to score three times. She stole three bases, outpaced only by Stuntebeck with four taken bags. Stuntebeck also came in to score four times and knocked in two RBIs.
Next up, Marshall will again face off against Johnson Creek, this time at home on Monday, April 1. Capitol — South conference play begins the following day as the Cardinals will host Wisconsin Heights on Tuesday, April 2.
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