The Marshall softball team maintained its reputation as one of the Capitol - South conference' best in 2024. The Cardinals entered this season as the reigning undefeated champions from 2023, but took an early stumble against Waterloo. Undeterred, Marshall bounced back to beat the Pirates in the rematch and win the remainder of their conference games. They tied with Waterloo for the conference title with a 7-1 record.
Following the conclusion of the season, many of the Cardinals' top contributors were recognized with all-conference recognition from the Capitol - South. Leading the way was sophomore Kennedy Weisensel, who was named Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. She, as well as four more teammates, made the first team while two more Cardinals were named to the second team.
Kennedy Weisensel, sophomore, first team (Pitcher of the Year)
While her high school softball career is still young, Kennedy Weisensel has already made quite the name for herself in the pitching circle. 2024 her second consecutive season being named both first team all-conference as well as Pitcher of the Year by the Capitol - South.
Weisensel allowed only 12 hits in eight conference games this spring, letting in eight runs with six walks and an incredible 44 strikeouts. She got the win in four of her five starts.
In addition to her pitching dominance, Weisensel doubled as Marshall's leadoff batter. She collected 31 hits on the year, including eight doubles and two homeruns. She knocked in 11 RBIs and tied for the team lead in runs scored with 28 Added in with 12 walks, she finished with a stellar batting average of 0.413 to go along with a 0.600 slugging percentage and a 0.500 on-base percentage.
Sydney Stuntebeck, junior, first team
Much like Weisensel, Stuntebeck has been a staple on the Capitol - South all-conference list since she hit the high school level. She was a second team selection as a freshman in 2022 and upped that performance to first team last spring.
Stuntebeck wielded the most dangerous bat in the lineup, good for an impressive 0.714 slugging percentage to go along with a 0.400 batting average and a 0.477 on-base percentage. Stuntebeck led the team in homeruns with four and tied for the most in doubles (eight), runs scored (28) and RBIs (16). Additionally, she connected on one triple during the season and drew 10 walks.
Mollie Fritter, senior, first team
Fritter returns to the first team all-conference list this spring after having a breakout junior season in 2023. Despite other teams now knowing just how dangerous she was in the batting order, she still continued to produce.
She put up strong averages across the board, including a 0.353 batting average, a 0.408 on-base percentage, and a 0.529 slugging percentage. Fritter drew six walks and connected on 24 total hits, including two homeruns and six doubles. This helped her drive in 15 RBIs and come in to score 21 times.
Naomi Dahl, senior, first team
Dahl's decorated high school career closes with a trio of all-conference honors to her name. She made the second team as both a freshman and junior, but her contributions from second base this season made her a surefire first teamer.
Dahl connected on 27 hits and drew five walks this year for a batting average of 0.403, an on-base percentage of 0.452, and a slugging percentage of 0.463. Of Dahl's hits, four were doubles, putting her in position to come in to score 19 times. She also laid down four sacrifice bunts to help her bring in 10 RBIs.
Lyliane Browne, junior, first team
In a season filled with success, Browne will best remember hitting a walk-off homerun against Beloit Turner in Marshall's Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) regional opener. Her contributions to the team started long before, though, helping her earn her first all-conference recognition of her career.
Browne finished near the top of the team in runs scored with 24, thanks to her 0.405 on-base percentage and 0.324 batting average. On the year, she collected 22 hits and drew six walks. Five of her hits were doubles as she helped drive in nine RBIs.
Kate Luzenski, senior, second team
Luzenski caps her high school career by earning her first all-conference nod in softball. She was also a multi-time all-conference selection in volleyball in her time as a Cardinal.
She proved to be an important bat in the middle of Marshall's lineup, finishing with a slugging percentage of 0.422, an on-base percentage of 0.438, and a batting average of 0.344. Luzenski connected on 22 hits, including five doubles, to go along with a tie for the team lead in drawn walks with 12. She came in to score 20 times and knocked in 16 RBIs.
Carly Checky, freshman, second team
Despite being only a freshman, Checky stepped right in and brought a veteran level of confidence to the shortstop position. She offered a slick and reliable glove that often led to the out at first base.
Checky also proved to be a rally starter from the back of the batting order. She put together 22 hits on the year, including a double and a triple. She came in to score 10 times and drove in 12 RBIs. This led to strong averages across the board, including a 0.379 batting average, 0.403 on-base percentage, and 0.431 slugging percentage.
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