Bulldog softball returns veterans

Colfax softball coach Terry Eng noted last year’s team was made up of a lot of sophomores who had a successful year, and most of those players are back as juniors to make another run at it.

Colfax is scheduled to start the season with a doubleheader today at Freeman.

Lone graduate off the squad from last year was Rachel Robinson, one of the key players on the team. Robinson was named for all-league honors at catcher last year and led the Colfax offense with a .538 batting average. She hit three homers during the season.

Coach Eng has moved Brittany Lewis from third base back to the catcher’s slot to replace Robinson.

Scoops Hahn, who missed last season with an ALS injury, will be back at third base where she played as a sophomore.

Hahn and Kasey Cloaninger, who will play at first base, are the lone seniors on the club.

Erica Eng will be back in the pitcher’s circle as a junior this year.

Kori Goodwin, number two hitter with a .490 average, will be back at second base, and Amara Huber, also a junior, will be back at shortstop.

Outfielders include Alison MacDonald, in left field; Andra Hamilton, center, and Sarah Appel, in right.

Other sophomores on the club are Roxanne Allenbach, Allison Dunning and Sidney Sheer.

Other juniors are Kindra Kneale, Jolee Aeschliman, and Carolyn Knaack.

Cheyanne Stokes is the lone freshman on the varsity.

The Bulldogs last year finished second in the NE campaign behind Northwest Christian. The Crusaders have pitcher Hannah Hustad back as a senior this year, and she figures to be a big factor in the league race.

Colfax made it to the state finals as a number-two team out of the NE and booked a 1-2 mark at state. The young team finished with an overall 16-12 record.

Kinsey Doering will coach the jayvee crew this year, and Greg Huber will return as assistant coach.