All-conference battery anchors softball hopes

Competing for a softball conference championship in the Central Wisconsin Conference-10 will be no small order for Menominee Indian High School, but with two of the more important components back on board, the season promises to be worth watching.

Junior pitcher Taylor Mahkimetas, one of three three-year starters in coach Bob Smith’s lineup, was a second-team all-league selection last year. Her batterymate, senior Joan Waukau, is a four-year starter who made first-team all-CWC-10 at catcher a year ago.

Senior outfielder Raeshene Pocan is the other three-year starter for Menominee Indian, which bounced back from an 8-6 season-opening loss to Port Edwards with a 12-0 drubbing of Gresham.

Three-fourths of the infield are returning letter-winners: sophomores Monae Waukau, who plays first, sophomore second baseman Khyla Grignon and sophomore shortstop Merissa Lyons. Another sophomore, outfielder Aaliyah Pecore, is also a returning letter-winner.

“Playing in the CWC-10, we know there are going to be some challenges ahead for us,” Smith said. “We have to remember to take one game at a time and not to overlook anybody.”

Shortstop Angel Fish, who hit .375 a year ago, and starting center fielder Kylee Pamonicutt were lost to graduation.

But there is talent in reserve, with freshman center fielder Faith Munson, freshman outfielder Liz Corn, junior outfielder Naneque LaTender and junior pitcher Kelsey Corn all ready to contribute.

As the mercurial springtime weather poses its annual set of challenges to dry softball diamonds everywhere, Menominee Indian will be working to iron out some of the kinks in meshing as a unit.

“The team chemistry is something that will need to get better if we plan on exceeding expectations,” Smith said.

With an offense that produced 18 runs in its first two games and an all-conference pitcher back on the mound, the goals are attainable: Menominee Indian wants to be competitive in each of its games, to make a serious run at a league title, and to win a regional game.

“With the seven starters we have back, and the big group of freshman we have, this team should be able to compete,” Smith said.