Hermantown softball coach Michelle Sweeney wants her players to take extra bases and expect more steal signs this season. “With our speed, especially at the top of the batting order, we will be more aggressive and players are encouraged to take more chances on the basepaths,” said Sweeney, who begins her sixth season with the Hawks. “And, we have some sticks in the middle of the order who are capable of driving ‘em in.”
Hermantown opens next Tuesday at Duluth Denfeld, at Dick Swanson Fields outside Wade Stadium in West Duluth.
The Hawks are hoping to build on a Section 7AAA semifinal finish a year ago, when they were upset by Grand Rapids in the fourth game of the season between the traditional Lake Superior Conference contenders.
“We beat Rapids twice during the regular season and once earlier in the section double-elimination tournament, but they got us in that final game,” said Sweeney, whose team finished 9-8 overall.
Chisago Lakes, North Branch, Hibbing, Hermantown and Cloquet are ranked first through fifth in the 2024 HowieHanson.com Prep Softball Preseason Rankings. The Hawks are arguably the sleeper team in the group.
The Hawks are led by pitcher Lindsey Ewer and outfielder Baylee Edwards, both seniors and four-year starters, and junior catcher Mikayla Sweeney, a three-year starter the top college prospect.
Other elite players to watch are freshmen Avery Beranek, a rocket-armed pitcher and second baseman, and Bryden Giesen, a sure-handed shortstop who fields like she was born with a softball mitt on her left hand.
“We return a strong, veteran group, quite a few positionals, and have added some quality freshmen,” said Michelle Sweeney. “We think we can be very competitive in 7AAA again this season.”
2024 Hermantown Softball Schedule
Tuesday, April 9 – at Denfeld, 4:30 p.m. Dick Swanson Fields outside Wade Stadium
Friday, April 12 – at Esko, 4 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16 – Superior, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 – Cloquet, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 20 – at Rapids Invitational, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, April 23 – Denfeld, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 25 – Grand Rapids, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30 – Proctor, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 4 – at Andover tournament (2), 9 a.m.
Tuesday, May 7 – at Rock Ridge, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 9 – at Duluth Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 10 – North Branch Area, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 13 – at Grand Rapids, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 14 – Hibbing, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15 – at Duluth East, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17 – Chisago Lakes, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21 – Post-season tourney begins, TBD
All Hawks home games at Hermantown Softball Complex