June 7, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.
DeMeyer reflects on season at RHS softball banquet
DeMeyer reflects on season at RHS softball banquet
The Hodags went 13-10 overall, tied for third in the Great Northern Conference and were eliminated by state qualifier Rice Lake in the regional finals.
"I thought we'd do better, but we lost five or six games by one run, which I always think we should win those games," Hodag coach D.J. DeMeyer said, looking back on the season. "Last year we won those games. This year we didn't, but we set up a really tough schedule. And we set up a really tough schedule for a reason - I thought we had a really good team to beat those tough teams. We gave them a run, we really did."
The Hodags' 2017 campaign was marked by two things in particular - injuries and losses in close games.
DeMeyer said his team fought through adversity.
"I'm very proud of this team," he said. "We could have folded up really early and we didn't. We kept on battling."
Ace pitcher Ali Schickert hurt her knee in a April 18 loss to Mosinee and did not return to the lineup until May 8, ironically at Mosinee, when the Indians rallied for three runs in the seventh and eventually defeated the Hodags in extra innings, 5-4. Though she missed very little time, Rhinelander's No. 2 pitcher Stephanie Kuester tweaked her wrist making a slide during an April 24 win over Northland Pines.
"We had to shuffle some players around and you all responded. I saw some growth in our freshmen," DeMeyer told his team.
The May 8 loss to Mosinee was the third straight one-loss run for the club at the time. The Hodags had another, a 6-5 loss in extra innings May 18 at Tomahawk that officially ended the team's conference title hopes.
"I think the difference this year is we didn't get the timely hits," DeMeyer said. "We hit the ball. I don't think we struggled hitting the ball but, a lot of times, we hit it right at them. I don't know how to change that."
In sticking with past practice, DeMeyer did not present any team awards - such as most valuable and most improved. The only players who received special recognition by the team, aside from earning their varsity letters, were the squad's four seniors.
"It's been a great three years," DeMeyer said. "They accepted me when I first came on. They've done everything I've asked them to do. They deserve all the awards they've gotten and I really wish them success in the future."
On the field, the seniors' departure will create a significant void.
Schickert was Rhinelander's top pitcher. Ivy Packard locked down Rhinelander's leadoff spot and center field position over the last four years while Erica Counter and Lindsay Juedes made up the left side of the Hodags' starting infield this spring.
"We have a lot of work to do for next year if we want to contend for the title," DeMeyer said, challenging his returning players. "I don't see why we should take anything less than that."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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