Travis Rosenau
SLEEPY EYE – While the Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Knights’ unbeaten dream season came to an end a win away from the state tournament, it didn’t take away the memories and many accomplishments the team shared throughout the season.
After defeating New Ulm Cathedral twice in the regular season and once in the Section 2A semifinals, the Greyhounds got payback out of the elimination bracket by defeating the Knights twice in the Section 2A finals to advance to the Class A State Softball Tournament.
“My first couple thoughts after, I think it was almost surreal, to be honest,” Lacey Mathiowetz said of the season-ending loss. “It was just a tough blow for a lack of better words. Bouncing back from it, though, just recognizing it was a great season and it sadly didn’t end the way we wanted it, too, but it doesn’t diminish the fact that we were unbeaten to that point.
“I think even though it was a tough ending, our team was still really solid. We did amazing things and I’m just going to have to remember how much fun it was to be a part of that team. We were a strong force and I will always remember the never-giving-up mentality we had up until that last night. It was just so good to be a part of it.”
Lacey Mathiowetz, who ended her senior year with a 1.19 ERA and 160 strikeouts in 111 1/3 innings of work, was named the unanimous All-Journal Softball Player of the Year as voted on by The Journal’s sports staff.
While a season highlight for Lacey Mathiowetz was topping Cathedral in the Section 2A semifinals and proving the Knights were deserving of being where they were at, she credited the Greyhounds for their comeback at the end of the section tournament. She also said she’s played in the summer on the Sleepy Eye ASA team with Greyhounds second baseman Alexa Hornick and has a lot of respect for her.
Greyhounds outfielder Jenna Hotovec also got a tip of the hat from Lacey Mathiowetz.
“Every time she stepped in the box, I knew it was going to be a battle,” Lacey Mathiowetz said of Hotovec. “I never knew what the outcome of that at-bat would be.”
After a solid 2.32 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings last season, Lacey Mathiowetz’s pitching numbers improved further this year. She credited her improvements in the circle to pitching coach Brian Schuck.
“I would attribute a lot of my success to him as he has taught me everything I know,” she said. “As I stepped onto the varsity field for the first time to where I am now, he has taught me so much.”
While her pitching has improved, her improvement at the plate has been a big difference-maker. As a sophomore, she hit .267.
This season, she saw her batting average climb to .468 with 29 hits, 29 runs scored, 14 RBIs and 13 walks.
“Ever since my sophomore year, hitting has been a battle,” she said. “When I was a sophomore, I was not very good. And it was frustrating. I didn’t like that I couldn’t do it, and I wasn’t going to let that defeat me. And I took the advice and the help from my coaches, the constant critiques, the feedback, and I tried to do my best.”
Lacey Mathiowetz said she tried slap hitting her junior year, and while her average went up to .352, she switched back to the right side of the plate and saw even more success.
In addition to assistant coaches Jill Weiss and Katie Bloedow, the Knights are head coached by Lacey Mathiowetz’s mom, Kayla Mathiowetz.
Lacey Mathiowetz said her mom didn’t go easy on her, however, which was OK with her.
“I think a lot of people would think it’s really different to have your mom as a coach,” Lacey Mathiowetz said. “I think early on she kind of made it clear, ‘Just because you’re my kid does not mean you’re going to get special treatment.’ And I was not upset about that all because I wanted her to be my coach. What it was like to have her as my coach, she was like any other coach I had, it just happened to be that we were related.
“But I think even though sometimes when your mom’s explaining to you how to do a drill, it might get a little bit more heated than if it was just an unrelated coach, I think that’s about the only difference, but I tried to keep it very professional.”
But Lacey Mathiowetz admitted it still meant a lot for her to carry on playing the game of softball at her mom’s side.
One major lesson Lacey Mathiowetz said she learned over the course of her high school career was how much the game prepared her for life.
“I would say the biggest lesson was learning just how much you learn about life through a sport,” Lacey Mathiowetz said. “I remember hearing when I was younger, ‘Sports teach you life.’ And I used to think, ‘Yeah, whatever, that’s just some saying that everybody has.’ It’s a sport, you’re competitive, you play, obviously you’re out there to win. But as I got to the varsity level, I was slowly starting to learn lessons.
“And I look back and when this year came and I really had to start reflecting on my past seasons, I just realized how much I had learned from softball about life. I mean, how to be good person to people, how to let mistakes go because mistakes are going to happen and, obviously, that’s a huge part of sports. It literally did, it taught me so much about life and I just hope that those lessons can stick with me the rest of my life.”
Lacey Mathiowetz will begin her next chapter academically and on the softball field at Mayville State University in North Dakota. She will be looking to major in English education and obtain a coaching minor while competing with the Comets softball team.
St. Mary’s coach Kayla Mathiowetz (above) was Tomahawk Conference Coach of year. Kayla’s daughter, Lacey (right) was Player of the Year.
TOMAHAWK ALL CONFERENCE AND HONORABLE MENTION
SOFTBALL 2023
ALL CONFERENCE TEAM
NAME SCHOOL
- Lacey Mathiowetz SESM
- Allie Labat SESM
- Kallie Zarn SESM
- Adelinde Hoffmann SESM
- Isabella Hoffmann SESM
- Megan Haala NUC
- Kiah Helget NUC
- Avery Carlson Wabasso
- Sophia Hanna Wabasso
- Kelsey Frank Wabasso
- Jaeli Richert Springfield
- Madyson Digmann Springfield
- Brooklyn Sturm Springfield
- Taylor Berkner Sleepy Eye Public
- Paige Haala Sleepy Eye Public
- Ashlyn Rodewald MVL
HONORABLE MENTION TEAM
NAME SCHOOL
- Jenna Hotovec NUC
- Alexa Hornick NUC
- Jaylin Hartness NUC
- Sydnee Helget NUC
- Lexie Groebner Springfield
- Jalivia Richert Springfield
- Brooke Arneson Sleepy Eye Public
- Katelyn Tauer Sleepy Eye Public
- Halle Bleick GFW
PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Lacey Mathiowetz – Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
COACH OF THE YEAR: Kayla Mathiowetz – Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s
June 1st
at Caswell Complex, North Mankato
NU Cathedral 3, St. Mary’s 2
NU Cathedral 10, St. Mary’s 0 Six Innings
The St. Mary’s softball team completed a perfect regular season to earn the Tomahawk Conference championship. They are the number one seed in section play which gets underway for them May 25th. Team members (front row, from left: Kenadi Steffl and Gracie Sellern. Addie Hoffmann, Alexa Pelzel, Allie Labat, Bella Hoffmann, Kallie Zarn. Back row: Reese Hoffmann, Lacey Mathiowetz, Kailey Nelson and Josie Helget.
First Team
Marah Hulke, Jr.,
Nicollet, P/SS
In 15 games in the circle this season, Hulke had a 1.15 ERA and 124 strikeouts. The All-Conference, All-Section and All-State junior also was key for the Raiders as a leadoff hitter with 39 hits and a .534 batting average. She also had eight doubles, seven home runs, three triples and 33 RBIs with an OBP of .622. For her career, Hulke has a .473 batting average and a 1.70 ERA.
Brooklyn Sturm, Fr., Springfield, SS
Sturm was a key reason for the Tigers’ run to state with a standout freshman season that saw her named an All-State, All-Conference and All-Section player. The shortstop hit .529 for Springfield with a .956 slugging percentage. She also had 36 hits, nine doubles, six homers, a triple and 40 RBIs. Defensively, Sturm had a .900 fielding percentage and turned three double plays and had 51 putouts.
Sarah Mohr, Sr.,
Cathedral, SS
Mohr was named the Tomahawk Conference Co-Player of the Year this season and hit .441 at the plate. A three-time All-Conference player (2018, 2019, 2021), three-time All-Section player (2018, 2019, 2021) and two-time All-State Player (2019, 2021), Mohr was also named a 2021 MFCA All-Star this season. She also drew 20 walks, scored 34 runs, had 30 hits and added 14 RBIs. In 92 plate appearances, Mohr struck out just eight times and had an OBP of .571.
Kiah Helget, Fr.,
Cathedral, P
Helget wrapped up her freshman year of softball as an All-Conference player and an All-State honorable mention. In 96 1/3 innings of work, Helget went 13-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 82 strikeouts. She allowed 53 walks and 98 hits for a WHIP of 1.57. At the plate, Helget led the team in batting average with a .513 average. She scored 28 runs, had five homers and drove in a team-leading 35 runs in 76 at-bats. She also had 10 stolen bases and led the team in hits with 39.
Jaeli Richert, So.,
Springfield, P/OF
Richert’s All-Conference, All-Section sophomore season helped carry the Tigers to the state tournament. She hit .350 with a .470 OBP and had 28 hits, five doubles, two homers and a triple. In the circle, Richert had a 7-1 record, a 2.50 ERA, 43 strikeouts and 24 walks allowed in 56 innings of work.
Haley Ditch, Sr.,
MVL, SS
Ditch was a standout player for Minnesota Valley Lutheran during her senior year of softball, leading the team with a .463 batting average. She also had 25 hits, six doubles, 13 runs scored, a homer and 10 RBIs to go with a .630 slugging percentage. The three-year varsity player was a unanimous selection to the Tomahawk All-Conference team this year.
Sarah Franta, Sr.,
Wabasso, P
Franta led the Rabbits at the plate this season with a .470 batting average and 39 hits. She also scored 28 runs and had seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 24 RBIs and stole 19 bases. In the circle, she went 11-12 in 143 1/3 innings with a 3.04 ERA. She also had 107 strikeouts and allowed 40 walks. She was also named to the Tomahawk All-Conference Team this season.
Hayley Selby, Jr.,
Nicollet, P/SS
Selby was one of Nicollet’s top all-around players this season as an All-Conference and All-Section player, hitting .346 at the plate and holding a 1.86 ERA in the circle in 13 games pitched. She also had 115 strikeouts this season in the circle and had 27 hits, seven doubles, two homers, 25 RBIs and a triple at the plate. For her career, Selby has a 2.84 ERA and a .411 batting average.
Emily Schommer, Jr.
Cathedral, C
Schommer wrapped up her junior year as an All-Conference player, the second time in her career. She was also named an All-Section and All-State player this year and hit .308 while driving in 22 runs and walking 20 times. She scored 18 runs also this year in 52 at-bats and had 16 hits, six of them being home runs.
Second Team
Jalivia Richert, Fr.,
Springfield, P/OF
Joining her sister Jaeli in the circle this year, Jalivia Richert pitched 89 innings for the state-appearing Tigers this season and had a 10-2 record to show for it. She also had 83 strikeouts and 29 walks allowed with a 2.83 ERA. The All-Conference, All-Section player also hit .302 at the plate.
McKenna Strong, Sr., Sleepy Eye, CF
Strong ended her senior year with the Indians as an All-Conference, All-Section and All-State player. She led Sleepy Eye on offense and defense this year, hitting .400 with 22 hits, 22 RBIs and 15 runs scored. The No. 4-hitter also had a slugging percentage of .691, drew nine walks and stole five bases. Head coach Sydney Geiger said that Strong’s passion, grit, power and knowledge would be tough to replace in years to come.
Miranda Suess, Jr.,
NUHS, P
Suess was a veteran pitcher this season for the Eagles but it was her first varsity season. The Big South All-Conference player also was utilized at third base when not pitching and hit .283 with an OBP of .411. In the circle, Suess pitched 89 2/3 innings with 64 strikeouts, 40 walks allowed and a 3.59 ERA.
Kelsey Frank, So.,
Wabasso, C
Frank was one of the top hitters for Rabbits this season with a .411 batting average. She had 30 hits, 22 RBIs, five doubles, scored 27 runs and was a threat on the basepaths with 27 stolen bases. The sophomore catcher also drew 18 walks and had a .560 on-base percentage. Frank was an honorable mention in the Tomahawk Conference this season.
Megan Haala, So.,
Cathedral, CF/P
Haala was an All-Conference player this season with a .400 batting average in 65 at-bats. She had a team-leading eight doubles and also had 16 RBIs and 26 hits. In 37 2/3 innings in the circle, Haala had a 5-1 record and a 1.86 ERA, striking out 35 and allowing 12 walks and 29 hits.
Allie Labat, So.,
St. Mary’s, 3B
Labat’s first year of varsity softball was a successful one as she hit .406 with 28 hits. Labat also drove in 18 RBIs, scored 21 runs, had nine doubles and added a home run. Labat was an All-Section player this year also and hit .500 in a strong postseason run for the Knights.
Julia Helget, Jr.,
St. Mary’s, CF/P
Helget was an All-Conference selection her junior year, hitting .372 with 32 hits and 31 runs scored. She also had 19 RBIs, a homer, a triple and eight doubles while striking out just nine times. In 24 1/3 innings in the circle, Helget had a 3.16 ERA and 24 strikeouts while allowing 25 hits and 16 walks.
Lily Brennan, So.,
Cathedral, 3B
Brennan used her speed to log 25 singles, hit .413 and steal 14 bases this season for the Greyhounds during her sophomore year. Brennan also had four doubles and hit two homers with 19 RBIs while scoring 29 runs. She was an honorable mention in the Tomahawk Conference this season.
Megan Ploeger, Jr.,
Springfield, C/SS/DP
Ploeger was an offensive leader for the Tigers this season in multiple positions, hitting .372 with a .577 slugging percentage. She had 29 hits, four doubles, four homers, 24 RBIs and 27 runs scored. Defensively, Ploeger had a .976 fielding percentage. The Tomahawk All-Conference player also caught five players stealing and picked off two runners as a catcher.
Honorable Mentions
Lacey Mathiowetz, So., St. Mary’s, P
Gracie Linbo, Fr., NUHS, RF
Maddie O’Connor, Jr., NUHS, SS
Brooklyn Bode, So., Nicollet, CF
Corban Tatro, Fr., Madelia, P
TOMAHAWK ALL CONFERENCE AND HONORABLE MENTION
SOFTBALL 2021
ALL CONFERENCE TEAM
NAME SCHOOL GRADE
Sarah Mohr New Ulm Cathedral 12
Emily Schommer New Ulm Cathedral 11
Megan Haala New Ulm Cathedral 10
Kiah Helget New Ulm Cathedral 9
Jadah Borth BLHS 12
Tia Weispfennig BLHS 12
Alex Maiers BLHS 11
Brooklyn Sturm Springfield 9
Jalivia Richert Springfield 9
Jaeli Richert Springfield 10
Megan Ploeger Springfield 11
Emily Weiss SESM 12
Julia Helget SESM 11
Sarah Franta Wabasso 12
Madeline Hanna Wabasso 12
Morgan Aylsworth GFW 11
McKenna Strong Sleepy Eye Public 12
Haley Ditch MVL 12
HONORABLE MENTION TEAM
NAME SCHOOL GRADE
- Lilly Brennan New Ulm Cathedral 10
- Lilly Franta New Ulm Cathedral 11
- Emilie Hable BLHS 11
- Victoria Roiger Springfield 11
- Madyson Digmann Springfield 10
- Megan Ahlness SESM 12
- Lacey Mathiowetz SESM 10
- Kelsey Frank Wabasso 10
- Brooklyn Werner GFW 11
- Morgan Klein Sleepy Eye Public 12
- Grace Bauer MVL 12
CO PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Jadah Borth – BLHS and Sarah Mohr – New Ulm Cathedral
COACH OF THE YEAR: Katie Wilhelmi – Springfield
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