Diggers leave no stone unturned

The Mellen Granite Diggers softball team may have fallen 11-8 in a WIAA D5 sectional final game against the Thorp Cardinals on May 30, but make no mistake it was an all-time great season for the team. The Granite Diggers claimed their first NLC championship in over two decades and also made their first sectional final appearance in program history. It’s a young team with bright prospects according to Head Coach Tom Jokinen.

“This season was a team effort,” the coach said. “With only two seniors (Jordyn Majeski and Dawn Polencheck), we were led by youthful strong pitching. Ellie Peters, a junior, pitched 46 innings with 55 strikeouts and just 15 walks. She gave up only 10 earned runs,and threw seven shutout. Her backup Maleah Nortunen, a sophomore, went 3-1.”

Hitting was also a strength for this complete team with Majeski, Peters, and freshman Kaylee Erickson all batting over .500. The two seniors will be missed Jokinen suggested as, in addition to the big bat of Majeski, Polencheck was a four year starter at shortstop. But the team returns many capable players including a strong bench which at different times included freshmen Brooke Neumann, Amaya Haderly, and Malia Anderson; sophomore Isabella Weil, Isabelle Bonitz, and junior Braelyn Heino. The experience at sectionals was special, Jokinen noted.

“Winning the conference and regionals was great,” he said. “But a sectional showdown and 4-2 win against Solon Springs/Northwoods was icing on the cake. Playing Thorp for a chance to go to state was the best experience for our team. We may have lost the game but (we) gained so much.”

It’s possible Mellen’s coaching staff may have wanted this historic run as much as the players. Jokinen has been at it for 24 years while fellow coaches Jason Majeski (12 years), Tim Polencheck (30 years), and Luke Jokinen (seven years) bring almost 50 years of combined experience. Jokinen credits the Mellen Youth Athletic Association softball and baseball youth programs for feeding the high school with good players, along with a dedication to educating young ‘Diggers on things larger than sports.

“I remember every team I coach, win or lose,” he said. “We teach them how to win and we teach them how to lose. Softball is only a small part of their lives. I wish my two seniors the best — they’ll become part of the Mellen softball family.”