Meet the driving forces behind adapted softball powerhouses

They compete on different teams and in different divisions, yet play the same position and assume a catalyst role.

Anthony Bengtson and Riley Wisniewski, top athletes in adapted softball, are each driving their teams toward a second consecutive state championship.

Bengtson, of North Suburban, and Wisniewski, of Dakota United, provide offensive punch while anchoring the defense. Both play shortstop, a position whose importance is akin to the pitcher in softball.

Dakota United (9-3) opens state tournament quarterfinal play in the physically impaired division at 4 p.m. Friday against Osseo (4-4). North Suburban (10-3) plays in the cognitively impaired division quarterfinal at 5:30 p.m. against Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville (9-2).

All games are held in the Coon Rapids High School fieldhouse. Semifinals and championship games in both divisions will be played Saturday. A year ago, Dakota United (a cooperative between eight Dakota County schools) won its first softball state title since 2008 while North Suburban (a cooperative between Centennial and Spring Lake Park) captured its first in program history.

Bengtson, a senior, and Wisniewski, a junior, each lead their teams with a winning mixture of athletic ability, game sense and supportive demeanors. They quarterback the defense and they can hit. Bengtson went 5-for-5 with a home run, four RBI and three runs in the title game last year. Wisniewski ranks among his team's leaders in batting average, RBI and runs scored.

Bengtson, a captain since eighth grade, is "pretty much the rock of our whole team,'' North Suburban coach Deb Kline said. "If he were not to be at a game, the kids fall apart. He's the glue."

John and Kathleen Bengtson adopted Anthony and two other children as infants from Ukraine. All three are seniors in high school. Brother Dmitry is the North Suburban team manager. Kathleen said Anthony, named Visily at birth, is developmentally delayed and is on the autism spectrum.

The Bengtsons got their kids involved in bowling but Anthony later wanted to try other sports. Klein said Bengtson is "quick and he knows the game well."

Wisniewski, meanwhile, is called a ''passionate leader'' by Dakota United coach Brett Kosidowski. Wisniewski stepped into the star role vacated by the graduation of Grayson Nicolay. Wisniewski credits his softball acumen to his older brother, Parker, who he said "taught where to throw the ball in every situation."

Born deaf, Wisniewski wears cochlear implants in each ear. Neuromuscular and vestibular disorders affected his balance and motor patterns. Luke Wisniewski said his son could not sit up until age 2, by which time the Wisniewskis had begun shopping for wheelchairs.

Luke said watching his son run around and play a huge role on a successful team "is kind of a miracle."

"It's a huge challenge," Bengtson said.