By William / www.mcpherson-county-ks.com
INMAN – It was a rough 2021 season for the Inman softball program as they mustered just five wins against 14 losses despite beginning the season with a huge win over rival Hutchinson Trinity.
For 2022, Lady Teuton head coach Bre Ryan will be heading into fourth year looking for improvements in many phases of the game.
Gaining more wins will have to come after they learn how to replace graduates at three key infield positions with first baseman Kylee Bonneville, second baseman Haley Konrade, and catcher Jaylah Hurley all picking up their diplomas.
Coach Ryan will also have to find a replacement for starting pitcher Emma Brown as she will be sitting out the 2022 season due to a shoulder injury.
The Lady Teutons will have six solid performers returning to the diamond this spring to build the team around, including seniors Lexi Milne playing infield and Emily Markley taking care of center field. Junior Alyssa Johnson will be back on the mound when not playing outfield, Joee Hurley, a junior, will take an outfield position while sophomores Kambrey Woods and Savannah Smith will fill up a pair of infield positions with Smith also playing catcher.
“We have some challenges ahead of us this season,” noted Coach Ryan. “That does not change the fact that we are going to go compete and be good teammates each day we step on the field.”
Ryan concluded her pre-season reflections by adding, “We play Hutch Trinity the first Friday of the season, and they have always been a great rivalry for us with competitive teams each year, so it would be a boost to morale to take a game from them again this season.”
The Lady Teutons open their 2022 season on Tuesday, March 29 with a road trip to Little River and then on Friday, April 1 they go on the road again to play Hutchinson Trinity Catholic.
(William is a free-lance writer covering McPherson County Activities – he can be reached at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)