Having their season end last fall at the hands of the Stoutland in the district championship game, Mick Byrd’s Vienna Eagle softball team will look to advance past districts and even to the …
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Having their season end last fall at the hands of the Stoutland in the district championship game, Mick Byrd’s Vienna Eagle softball team will look to advance past districts and even to the final four.
“Last year, we were 17-4, undefeated Gasconade Valley Conference (GVC) Champions for the fifth year in a row and champions of our own tournament,” Byrd said.
Losing only two seniors from last fall’s squad, Byrd had a lot of returners on the roster.
“We lost two great seniors from last year’s team in Jena Schawrtze and Kamryn Hayes,” Byrd said. “However, we return everyone else with the addition of Lexi Struemph (out with an injury all last year) and several talented newcomers.”
Seniors returning for Byrd’s Eagles include Marsie Messersmith, Struemph, Jada Kleffner, Alicia Long, Sadie Novak, Gabby Wilkinson, Molly Otto and Karissa Feeler.
Messersmith was the GVC Co-Player of the Year last fall along with Hayes.
Other returning All-GVC softball players from last fall include Feeler, Wilkinson, Long and Kadence George on the first team.
Otto is also a returning All-GVC Second Team selection.
Juniors rounding out the list of upperclassmen for VHS softball in addition to George include Allison Buschmann and Jenna Wiles.
Sophomores suiting up for Vienna softball include Madeleine Novak, Abrea Simmons, Tori Schulte, Kiera Hollis, Andrea Novak, Kyleigh Logan, Olivia Hagan, Nora Garro and Terra Huffman.
Freshmen rounding the 2020 VHS softball roster are Alayna Patton, Aliyah Griffin, Kayla Hertzing, Jaelee Stricklan, Cara Petershagen, Eva Hollis and Karleigh Briscoe.
Playing their summer season as the Warthogs, Vienna saw it beneficial to get to play.
“We got to play some summer ball in July, which is extremely helpful in preparing for our high school season,” Byrd said.
Following seven non-conference games to open the season, Vienna will begin their quest towards a sixth consecutive GVC title on Tuesday, Sept. 15 on the road in Cuba against the Lady Wildcats.
Two days later, Vienna will begin a stretch of four home games in the span of eight days against Belle’s Lady Tigers, Newburg’s Lady Wolves, Cuba and St. Elizabeth’s Lady Hornets.
