Waukon softball team returns nine letterwinners for 2016 diamond campaign

The 2016 Waukon softball team will return what dictates to be a full line-up - nine players - with varsity letterwinning experience from last season, but one of the most missed faces from that campaign will be at the top of the Indian softball totem pole, as head coach Joe O’Neill has been forced to step down from that position this season due to health reasons. O’Neill had assumed the softball Tribe’s lead post just last season, guiding the Indians to a 7-19 overall record that included a 2-13 mark that placed the Indians sixth in the final Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC) standings.

Assuming that vacant head softball role for the Indians will be Amanda Eggerichs, who currently teaches the fourth/fifth grade class at Waterville Elementary School and brings both softball coaching and playing experience to the position. Eggerichs is a graduate of Riceville High School, where she had been a varsity softball player since her eighth grade season, primarily as a catcher until a knee injury forced her into more of a utility role.

During her college years at the University of Northern Iowa, Eggerichs coached fourth through eighth grade summer recreation softball at Riceville. She served as the assistant varsity softball coach at St. Ansgar last season, and has continued to play the game in a more recreational role as time allows.

“Personally, I have continued my passion for the game by playing on various slowpitch teams during the summer months,” Coach Eggerichs said. “I have an unbelievable love for the game of softball and wish to carry that passion over into helping the girls be successful athletes.”

Helping ease that transition to a brand new head coach will be the return of those nine veteran players from last season, including six seniors that boast two All-Conference Second Team selections, outfielder Madison Snitker and catcher Bethany Stock, along with a variety of defensive skills in infielders Kaley Benzing and Emily Hammel, pitcher Leslie Sivesind and outfielder Kaela Wood. The junior infield trio of Emma Johnson, Deana Schlitter and Regan Wasson rounds out this season’s returning veteran experience for the Tribe.

“I have a strong group of seniors this year, and look forward to seeing them shine as leaders and helpers for the underclassmen,” Coach Eggerichs said. “I have a lot of returning starters, which will aid in team movement, momentum and experience on the field. We have a lot of experience returning, which should provide us with a strong defense.”

In addition to Coach O’Neill’s absence, the Indians will also have to fill some key vacancies left by the graduation of three multi-year varsity contributors that took an abundance of not only senior leadership, but also statistical leadership from last summer. “We have some pitching roles we will need to fill from last year, as well as shortstop and outfield positions.”

Pitching will be the Tribe’s most challenging skill experience to replace, as last year’s graduation took five-year varsity letterwinner Thea Meyer from the Indian mix. In addition to that varsity experience, Meyer also took with her more than 111 of the Indians’ nearly 167 innings on the mound, in addition to the team lead in strike-outs and five of the Indians’ seven pitching victories from 2015.

Also greatly missed will be the role played by four-year letterwinner Allie Schwartz, who posted team offensive highs of 31 hits, 21 runs scored and a .383 batting average, along with never being caught in 11 stolen base attempts last summer. Stock will bring back her own offensive team highs of 15 runs batted in (RBI) and seven doubles, with the Tribe managing just one triple and no homeruns at all last season.

“We struggled with hitting last year, so that is an area we want to focus on,” Coach Eggerichs said. “Strong defense, aggressive baserunning, and solid contact on the ball will be key in a successful defense and offense this season. Also, staying positive and building a strong team unity will keep us moving forward in the conference."

Although new to the Waukon softball program, Eggerichs already knows the traditional role teams have played atop that Northeast Iowa Conference. “Waverly and Charles City will be the toughest in the conference this year,” she said. “I look and hope for us to sit in the top half of the conference. I think it is very doable if we can conquer the basics.”

That top-half NEIC finish is just one of the many goals the first-year head coach has for her charges this summer. “I really want to build a strong unity amongst the players,” she said. “It is hard to bring in a new coach so late before the season, but if we can work together and learn to trust one another we will be successful. The fundamentals are already well underway. I want to see batting averages rise individually and as a team.”

What Coach Eggerichs has seen out of her crew in the first couple weeks of the season gives her reason to be optimistic about achieving those goals, and more. “I have a large number of girls out and they have been eager to work,” she said. “They know their weaknesses and are working to improve in those areas. Fielding/defense looks very sharp already. I am very excited to take over the position as head coach and hope to see many fans out supporting and encouraging us this season.”

That season was scheduled to get underway Tuesday, May 24 at Central Elkader before the Indians open up their Northeast Iowa Conference and home seasons Thursday, May 26 against Waverly-Shell Rock. The softball Tribe will then play a rare Saturday afternoon game at Kee May 28.