By Morgan Rode sports@newmedia-wi.com
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Destiny Bagley delivers a pitch during a conference game against Menominee Indian on May 2. Bagley made the CWC-East second team this spring.
Leader Photo by Morgan Rode Bonduel’s MacKenzie Moore swings during the team’s conference game against Amherst on May 7. Moore landed on the CWC-East second team.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School’s Abi Fraaza earned a spot on the Central Wisconsin Conference-East Division first team after a monster sophomore season on the softball diamond.
She was the only local player to make the first team and one of six Chargers to earn all-conference recognition this spring. Witt-Birn finished with a 6-6 record to place fourth.
Bonduel and Menominee Indian each had two players recognized.
Wittenberg-Birnamwood
Fraaza served as a reliable shortstop for Witt-Birn, but it was her production at the plate that earned her praise from opposing coaches.
The sophomore hit nearly .500 in conference play, collecting hits in 20 of 41 at-bats. She totaled 16 RBIs and scored 16 runs while also swiping 17 bases.
“Being named all-conference as a sophomore means a lot and shows that if you put the work in as an individual and as a team you get proven results,” Fraaza said. “Our team made strides this year and we overcame so much.”
Three Chargers — senior Destiny Bagley, junior Megan Konkol and sophomore Emma Herb — made the second team.
Bagley was the team’s primary pitcher. At the plate, Bagley hit .395 while driving in 11 runs.
Konkol enjoyed a big season at the plate, including an eight-RBI game against Menominee Indian on May 2. She ended the conference portion of the season with a .395 batting average.
“Receiving this will definitely boost my confidence for next year’s season knowing that many of us who received an award this year are playing again next year,” Konkol said. “I personally believe that receiving second team is going to motivate me for next year to reach that next level and get first team.”
Herb finished the year with a .351 batting average, 14 runs scored and six stolen bases.
“To me it means that I did what was needed of me,” Herb said. “It’s a great feeling of accomplishment and I’m thrilled that I can share that with some of the other girls on my team.”
Senior Olivia Zoromski and sophomore McKenna Metropulos each were placed on the honorable mention team.
Metropulos was the team’s catcher, helping guide Bagley and company through games, but also was a strong hitter at the plate.
Metropulos had a .333 batting average, drove in six runs and scored nine more.
Zoromski, who patrolled center field, drove in nine runs and scored 10 times to earn her spot.
Witt-Birn was given a No. 6 seed in the postseason, losing to third-seeded Amherst in a regional semifinal.
Bonduel
It was a pair of Bonduel seniors that landed on all-conference teams. MacKenzie Moore made the second team, while McKenzie Wollenberg was an honorable mention.
Moore batted atop the Bears lineup, collecting 13 hits and scoring a team-high 13 runs across the entire season. She was the team’s primary second baseman.
“It means a lot to me to be named to the all-conference second team this year because it shows that my hard work and commitment has paid off these past years,” Moore said. “I was so fortunate to have such amazing teammates and coaches because I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. I owe it all to my team and coaches for their support and pushing me to be the best athlete I could possibly be. They deserve as much of the credit as I do for all the hard work we all have put in on and off the field.”
Wollenberg batted third for Bonduel and played strong defense at her shortstop position.
She finished the year with a .316 batting average and drove in a team-high 11 runs on 18 hits. She scored 11 runs.
“I will miss getting to play with the underclassmen and making unforgettable friendships with them,” Wollenberg said. “I will miss them all truly and I can’t wait to come back in the spring and watch them play.”
Bonduel went 3-9 in conference play before losing to second-seeded Oconto in the regional semifinals.
Menominee Indian
Senior Marlee Waupoose and sophomore Selena O’Kimosh represented Menominee Indian, landing on the second and honorable mention teams, respectively.
Waupoose was the team’s most consistent hitter, leading the team in hits (16), runs (11) and RBIs (9). She also stole nine bases.
“It’s an honor to be second team all-conference,” Waupoose said. “When I first heard I made it to second team all-conference, I was surprised. I didn’t think I would make it that far and only being four points shy of first team all-conference.”
O’Kimosh was the team’s top pitcher this season — when she was injured, the team struggled to slow down opponent’s bats.
In limited bats, she proved to be a tough out at the plate. She had 10 hits in 21 at-bats and also drew five walks and scored six times.
Menominee Indian finished 1-10 in CWC-East play. The Eagles were topped by Bonduel in a regional quarterfinal.