By Jennifer Cesarz
Correspondent
The weather hasn’t been cooperating with the Delavan-Darien High School softball team – it still hasn’t been able to play its first game of the season, and most practices have been spent indoors.
“The weather has not been on our side at all so far this season,” said D-DHS head coach Hank Johnson. “However the girls are learning how to improve their skills. We are sure that the girls are getting tired of being inside just like we are.”
Johnson is in his third year of coaching softball at D-DHS and is joined by Nieves Gonzalez and Marty Speth. Junior Varsity is coached by Annelise Hansen and Brad Gramly.
The Comets hope to improve on their 9-14 record last year and will have to rebound from the loss of three offensive powerhouses in Natalie Buhler, Brittany Peyer and Emily Paul, all of whom graduated last year.
Johnson has his two pitchers returning from last year. Morgan Benzing and Brooke Boss took the mound for the Comets last year and will be joined by freshman Jennah Speth.
Those three will also see time in the Comet infield and will share time with Shelbie Greidanus, Cindy Crawford and Anna Leitzke.
The Comet outfield includes Christina Bavaheolos, Katherine Riley, Haylie Rogers, Tessa Scott, Sam Hoyord, Stella Hansen and Emily Moyer.
The Southern Lakes Conference is typically one of the toughest conferences in the state, with teams consistently going to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association state championship in June.
“We play in one of the best conferences in the state, and we are hoping to compete with top teams in our conference but ultimately prepare ourselves for Division 2 playoffs,” Johnson said.
Johnson feels Union Grove, Westosha, Waterford, and Wilmot will be the top teams in the conference.
For now the Comets are anxiously waiting to get out on the field and get their first game under their belts. For a complete listing of all the Comets games go to www.southernlakesconference.org.
