Reigning section softball champs looking for more hardware this spring

Holy Angels is back with top hitters looking to build on 18 wins

Following a run to the state tournament, Holy Angels’ softball has seven contributors back including junior captains Anya Anderson and Autumn Johnson.

Anderson hit .518 last season and was a standout catcher behind the plate.

Johnson was just as impressive with bat hitting .478 and was a stellar shortstop. She also pitched 7 1/3 innings across two games in relief of regular pitcher and since-graduated Leah Cierzan who posted a 16-6 record with a 2.52 ERA and struck out 189 batters across 136 innings.

The Stars went on a tear to capture the Section 3AAA title. After a 2-0 loss to top-seed Two Rivers in the winner’s bracket semifinal, the Stars won the final three games in dominant fashion including a two-game sweep of the same Two Rivers side 7-1, 6-1 to capture the section title.

Anderson had a two-run triple while Zoe Rimstad and Autumn Johnson each had doubles in the first game of that day.

Cierzan fanned six Warriors batters in each game. She added a pair of doubles in the clinching game, driving in three runs. Anderson and Rimstad each drove in a run.

State was a different story as Holy Angels were clipped by one run in the double-elimination tourney to bow out early, 3-2 against Chisago Lakes and 4-3 against Winona.

Rimstad and Johnson each drove in runs against Chisago Lakes. Cierzan, Anderson and Johnson each had a double.

Against Winona, Anderson drove in a run and had two hits while now senior outfielder Evelyn Jastrow had a double.

Holy Angels coach Jackie Poindinger begins her fifth season leading the team coming off an 18-6, including a second-place finish in the Tri-Metro with a 6-1 mark, trailing only St. Anthony (17-5, 7-0).

Joining Jastrow in the outfield is senior Anna Delsing and junior Ryli Kendrick who will split time between second base. Sophomore Marley Stone will return to the infield and freshman Bitsy Johnson is back at first base.

Newcomers looking to crack the lineup include juniors Celia Lind (outfield/infield) and Erin Kennedy (outfield) plus freshman infielder Maddie Gonnella.

Holy Angels will host Richfield for the Battle of the Tracks traveling trophy at Lincoln Field 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7.

The Stars will host St. Anthony April 25 before traveling to Edina April 29 and will then visit Kennedy May 2.