Hermantown softball coach Michelle Sweeney wants her team to set its sights on winning a Section 7AAA championship this spring.

The Hawks, who lost to Chisago Lakes 4-3 in the section final last season, return top pitchers Natalie Vitek and Lindsay Ewer this spring. Pitching is a premium in prep girls softball, so Hermantown should be a force again this season.

“I’d rank Natalie and Lindsay as two of the elite pitchers in our area,” said fifth-year Hawks coach Michelle Sweeney.

The Hawks, who lost seven seniors to graduation, also return senior third baseman Jadyn Lind, elite sophomore catcher Mikayla Sweeney and junior outfielder Bailee Edwards.

“We have a good group returning, including a strong battery,” said Michelle Sweeney. “Our pitching and defense should be solid, and I expect us to hit well. We’re looking for some of our upperclassmen and new kids to step up.”

Hermantown figures to be a strong contender for a Lake Superior Conference championship.

“Superior could be the team to beat locally, and Cloquet and Proctor will again be tough,” said Sweeney. “Proctor is the defending conference champion. Chisago Lakes and North Branch will field strong teams in 7AAA. We expect to contend for the section title.”

The Hawks will begin official preseason workouts Monday, March 13.

“As always, we will implement an efficient, quality practice plan in the gym to start, and if we’re lucky we’ll be able to practice on our field sometime around the second week of April,” said Sweeney. “In the meantime, we’ll work with our pitchers and our hitters will get some quality cuts in our two indoor batting cages. Well also spend a lot of time in the weight room doing agility work.”

Hermantown is scheduled to open April 11 at home against Denfeld.

The Hawks are also scheduled to host Esko on April 14 before heading on the road for 13 consecutive games, including a pair of games against Superior and important conference games against Grand Rapids and Denfeld.

Hermantown will visit Proctor on May 2.

Athletics & Activities

Error