When Aberdeen Central takes the field for its season-opening softball game on Tuesday, the Golden Eagles will attempt to keep advancing the runners.
Central has shown steady improvement during its first three years as a program and has no plans of slowing down.
“We have continued to get better every year,” said Central coach Cassidy Neer, “and we’re going to continue to get better this year.”
The Golden Eagles face Pierre at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Aberdeen Dome.
The squad will be led by lone senior Avery Bendewald, who can impact games on offense and defense.
“She can create chaos on the defense and move around the bases as she needs,” Neer said. “She covers a lot of ground defensively. She’s just an energizer out there.”
Jayla Breaw’s powerful bat returns to the lineup. Neer said the junior continues to get better with her hitting approach.
“She keeps getting stronger and her softball IQ continues to grow, being able to adjust a lot faster, not just from at-bat to at-bat, but now pitch to pitch,” Neer said, “and making those adjustments really quick at the plate, which allows her to capitalize on her at-bats, and really take advantage and move runners and score runners when we need to.”
Alivia Roettele is also a returning starter for the Golden Eagles. While she has spent most of her time behind the plate, look for Central to use her in a variety of ways this spring.
“She might move around a little bit. She’s taken a little more of a utility approach this year, which we’re OK with,” Neer said. “Just having her leadership and her veteran ability to be out there and guide some of the younger players is going to be awesome.”
Another key member of the team this year will be Jovee Waldo, who also can put pressure on opposing defenses with her aggressive style.
“Jovee is probably one of our most well-rounded kids in terms of just finding her place out there in the field, being super aggressive at the plate, staying after after every practice for extra reps and really just doesn’t take no for an answer,” Neer said. “She’s just a go-getter.”
Central will also be expecting major contributions this season from a group that includes Estelle Riggs, Rylee Beyer, Mali Larson, and Sydney Hoog.
“We have a lot of returners, a lot that maybe were more at the JV level that are going to step into varsity roles,” Neer said. “I think we’re in a really good place culture-wise. Couldn’t be happier, and just really proud of the girls and their leadership and ability to bond really quick.”
While the Golden Eagles will feature some players in new roles this season, look for the squad to continue with its same mindset, using an aggressive approach at the plate and on the basepaths to put pressure on opposing defenses.
“We look to stir up all sorts of trouble when we’re at the plate and make sure defenses are staying on their toes, and having to compete against us and making teams earn it,” Neer said, “and our girls are going to earn it, too.”
Central will face a few different teams this season, including first-year program Groton on Thursday, also at the Aberdeen Dome.
Neer is looking forward to seeing some different competition.
“We’re really excited to see some new teams this year, balance things a little bit better, perfect that processes that we have and just continue to build year after year,” Neer said. “That’s all we’re really looking for, making sure that we’re making those adjustments and not taking any steps back, keeping the morale high, the energy higher and just learning good lessons that will take us far beyond the field.”
