Jefferson will look to build on 16-win 2023 season
Junior, as Jim is known as around the program, focused on coaching Gustavus Adolphus College in New Ulm in addition to Clutch Hitters softball club and operating the popular batting cages at Dred Scott Playfields.
Hanson returns to a team that has a lot of promise coming off a 16-7 run before going 2-2 in the Section 2AAAA tournament, falling to eventual runner-up Eden Prairie one game shy of the section final.
Jefferson was one of three 10-win teams in the Metro West Conference joining New Prague and Waconia as the top four teams in the conference won at least 14 games.
Jefferson returns its starting infield with seniors Aaliyah Lawrence and Sophie Rouland at the corners, first and third bases, respectively. Sophomores Emmy Ly and Remi Rudquist up the middle at second base and shortstop, respectively.
The corner outfielders also return in seniors Ali Pauly and Maddy Pieper.
Pitching is another area with experience back as the top four seniors will take to the circle including Maria Torp, Lizzie Jeschke, Amanda Crusan and Pieper.
Senior Regan Friederich is among the newcomers who should make an impact on the lineup as the starting catcher. Look for seniors Bella Edwards (outfield), Ashley Powers (third base) and Kendall Thorman (infield) to provide depth along with freshman outfielder Olivia Oerther and pitchers Grace Rolek (sophomore) and Brooke Borwege (freshman).
Replacing the production of centerfielder Jackie Larsen will be a tall task for anyone. The now freshman at Bemidji State absolutely feasted at the plate last spring, hitting for .554 (46-83), reaching base 60 percent of the time and slugging .711 for an OPS of 1.311. In 23 games she scored 36 runs, drew 11 walks, drove in 29 runs and struck out only twice. She also stole 24 bases.
Rouland and Ly share the most hits among those back (23) with Ly and Rouland scoring 17 and 16 runs, respectively. Lawrence shared the team home run lead with Larsen at two round-trippers and drove in 17 runs. Rouland and Ly drove in 19 and 17 runs, respectively.
Torp was the top pitcher for the Jaguars compiling a 3.59 ERA across 68 1/3 innings in 15 starts. She struck out 53 batters and walked 30.
Pieper worked in seven games throwing 18 1/3 innings to compile a 2-0 record. She scattered 11 earned runs on 17 hits with 18 strikeouts.
In the field, Ly earned the top spot with 23 assists while Lawrence converted 74-of-77 chances to get an out for a .962 fielding percentage at first base.
Familiar faces
Sophomore coach Beth Kiene celebrates her 20th season with the program. The junior varsity coaches include new head coach Jasmine Ziegler and assistant coach Kate Deming, who is a program alum, is starting her third season on the coaching staff.
Another former Jefferson standout returns to coach in the program as Lizzy Walker, who will coach the freshman team.
Schedule
Jefferson opens the season at Metro West Conference foe Chaska on April 11 with a first-pitch set for 4:30 p.m. The Jaguars will host St. Louis Park at Dred Scott Field 1 on April 26 for Bloomington Fastpitch Association Night with a 6 p.m. start.
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