ASHLEY MICKSCHL
Woodbury • softball
An offseason of hard work, both in the circle and in the batters box, quickly paid dividends for the sophomore pitcher.
She pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out 12, in a 9-0 opening-game victory over Roseville last week.
"It was cold, around 35 degrees, but she was in control," coach Bob Samson said.
She then held down a heavy-hitting East Ridge team while she and her teammates went to work on offense in a 26-6 victory over the crosstown rival Raptors. On the week, Mickschl was 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts and went 5-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and six RBI.
"Over the summer, I worked really hard on my pitches and on getting my velocity up," Mickschl said. "I average about 60 to 62 [mph] on my fastball. Last year I was around 58. It keeps the batters on their toes and throws them off when I throw my changeup."
A changeup that, Mickschl said, looks tasty but tops out at 45 mph.
"A lot of girls were whiffing at it," she said. "That felt pretty good, knowing the hard work has paid off."
MATT GANTER
Minnehaha Academy • baseball
The senior pitcher/first baseman was a force on the mound and at the plate as the Redhawks started the season with four consecutive victories. He earned two victories and struck out seven in eight innings of pitching and went 7-for-11 with a double and six RBI.
