Le Mars softball’s season came to an end at the hands of Denison-Schleswig on a crazy Friday night of softball by a final of 2-0.
The night started like any other softball night at the Bulldog softball diamond. After four innings, things changed thanks to a lightning delay that suspended play. That lightning delay was only the beginning. With precipitation quickly following it behind, the question became whether or not the game could be finished due to worsening field conditions. The game was then moved to Akron to finish the final three innings at Bob Tucker Field. Rain delays are tough enough in softball without having to change venue. Bulldog head coach Keely Steffen says her team’s fight right out of the delay in Akron was so important.
The Bulldog bats were quiet throughout the majority of the game recording just four hits during the entirety of the game. Coach Steffen says the Bulldog defense more than made up for the lack of production offensively.
The Bulldogs now graduate five seniors off this year’s team in Maggie Allen, Mackenzie Kunkel, Averie Morgan, Avery Pratt, and Hannah Rolfes. This class was in their sophomore season when the Bulldogs went to state in 2020 under Coach Steffen’s first season. She says the growth that this class has made along with her was special.
This game also signified the end of the three-year coaching stint for Coach Steffen at Le Mars. She says helping others enjoy the game she played growing up is what she will miss the most about coaching at Le Mars.
The Bulldog season concludes with a record of 24-14. The Denison-Schleswig Monarchs now take on third-ranked Dallas Center-Grimes in the regional semifinal.
