Orono Softball Prepares To Continue Wright County Dominance

Last year’s record: 19-4

Conference record: 14-2 (1st)

Section 6AAA tournament: defeated Minneapolis Southwest 6-0, defeated Wayzata 4-3, lost to Robbinsdale Armstrong 5-2, lost to Richfield 6-5

Key returners

Senior Kailey Morgan, junior first baseman/catcher Mackenzie Williams, junior third baseman Jessica Flakne, senior outfielder Madison Hinton, senior pitcher Erin Lucas, junior pitcher Amanda Peterson, freshman shortstop Becky Smith

Key losses

Catcher Tara Schinke, shortstop Laura Randall, center fielder Libby Kruse, center fielder Julia Brauchle

Conference outlook

With an experienced roster loaded with pitching talent, the Spartans are the favorite to repeat as champions of the Wright County Conference.

Led by starters Lucas and Peterson, Orono held its opponents to 1.9 runs per game in 2010. Expect those two veterans to be key to the Spartans’ success again in 2011. 

The Spartans’ top competition will be Dassel-Cokato and Delano, each of which stole a game from Orono last season. But Orono coach Christine Gagnon said every opponent is dangerous, and a second consecutive conference title is far from guaranteed. 

“We plan to look no further than one game at a time,” she said. “Wright County has always had a strong conference and we take each opponent very seriously when we practice and step on the field.”

Section outlook

Like the Wright County Conference, Section 6AAA is well balanced with no overwhelming favorite. In 2010, the Spartans lost close games to lower-ranked opponents Robbinsdale Armstrong and Richfield to close out their season. 

Expect Orono’s veterans to be motivated to reverse the outcome in 2011, perhaps earning a trip to the state tournament. Other top teams include Hopkins, Wayzata, and Benilde-St. Margaret’s.