(Oakland, IA) — After getting a taste of the state tournament a year ago, Riverside softball is poised to go back and contend for the 2A title. The Bulldogs only lose one senior — CF Elly Henderson — so there should not be much change even with a new head coach who is a familiar face. Darrell Frain moves into the spot after Lacie Patterson stepped away because of family reasons. In the circle, Sophomore Peyton Schafer had a 2.57 ERA with 141 strikeouts. Frain says experience is going to help her improve
Schafer is pretty good with the bat, hitting .460, 3 HR, and 31 RBI — well, for that matter, everybody in the Riverside line up is pretty good with the bat. Senior Madison Kelley hit .450, 4 HR, 46 RBI; Senior Adaline Martens .483, 2 HR, 21 RBI; Junior Sydney Somers .404, 3, 33; Junior Sophia Fenner .430, 23 RBI; Junior Kayden Schnack .346, 3, 27 — the numbers are impressive even without Elly Henderson
Junior Lilli Reed will move over from a corner spot to center and 8th grader Braelyn Schanck moves into that spot and will also back up Schafer in the circle along with Fenner.
Overall, Frain says the expectations are high but the team cannot worry about the end of the season right now, the old cliche, take it one game at a time
Riverside softball will open their season on Tuesday, May 26 at Tri Center
Complete Interview with Head Coach Darrell Frain
