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With one senior graduated from the 2021 team, Peyton Rice, Creston’s softball program looks to make another postseason run.
Rice returns to the Creston program as the freshman coach after graduating from Southwestern Community College.
Head coach Mike McCabe is in his 30th year with Creston softball, 20 years as head coach and 10 years as assistant to Ron “Fox” Clinton.
“Every year is different, but we’re still Creston softball,” McCabe said. “Our girls have a lot of pride in our program and our facility. They’re going to go out and represent that program as best they can.”
Since 2015, the Panthers have made it to state three times 2015; 2016; 2020.
The seniors are Morgan Driskell, Gracie Hagle, Anna Mikkelsen and Halle Evans.
“We have a group of juniors that we expect to contribute this year,” McCabe said.
The bulk of the roster for the 2022 Panthers softball team is the junior class.
The nine juniors are Jacy Kralik, Brooklyn McKinney, Caitlin Bruce, Doryn Paup, Daile Keeler, Nevaeh Randall, Jenna Busch, Keely Coen and Kloey Crawford.
“If we trust the process will take care of itself at the end,” McCabe said. “We’ve been in the conference championship race and that’s our expectation again this year.”
Projected starters
Six Panthers return with all-conference honors from a year ago. Hagle, a Grand View University commit, was a Hawkeye Ten first team shortstop.
“We’re led by Gracie,” McCabe said. “Gracie’s a four time all-conference player and had a great career.”
Randall hit .423 last year had a team high 40 runs batted in and nine home runs was also named to the Hawkeye Ten first team, as a third baseman.
Driskell, a right fielder who hit .372 and drove in 30 runs as well as Coen, a pitcher who went 15-8, were on the Hawkeye Ten’s second team.
Evans, a first baseman who hit .352, and Jersey Foote who hit .345 as a centerfielder made it to the honorable mention team.
The Panthers averaged 9.1875 runs per game last season.
Anna Mikkelsen will be the starting catcher.
“She’s had to wait her turn,” McCabe said. “I know she’s excited and has waited for that chance.”
Conference outlook
A 16-4 record in conference tied the Panthers with Harlan for second place last season.
Defending Hawkeye Ten champion Atlantic made it to Fort Dodge last season.
“They lost a really talented senior class,” McCabe said. “I expect them to be in the hunt, I expect us to be there. Harlan, Carroll Keumper and Denison-Schleswig finished the season strong. Five teams really have an opportunity there. I wouldn’t discount a Lewis Central or a Glenwood and even Sr. Albert.”
No. 10 Creston opens their season at No. 15 (5A) Ames tonight (JV at 5:30 p.m., varsity at 7:30 p.m.). With a 12-4 win, the Little Cyclones got the better of Creston last season.
Roster
Seniors — Morgan Driskell, Gracie Hagle, Anna Mikkelsen, Halle Evans.
Juniors — Jacy Kralik, Brooklyn McKinney, Caitlin Bruce, Doryn Paup, Daile Keeler, Nevaeh Randall, Jenna Busch, Keely Coen, Kloey Crawford.
Sophomores — Sophie Hagle, Josie Mahan, Mattie DeBoer, Kennedy Lohoff.
Freshmen — Ava Adamson, Jersey Foote, Mila Kuhns, Taryn Fredrickson, Ady Morrison, Kylie Metheny.