Hornets to open season on April 11

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

With nine letter winners returning to their line up, the Frazee Hornets will look to utilize their experience at several key positions to improve upon last season’s 4-17 record. The Hornets will need that seasoned experience as they attempt to navigate what should be a challenging Heart O’ Lakes Conference once again.

“Our conference is strong with many of the teams being strong competitors, DGF, Hawley, Barnesville, Breckenridge always have strong teams with Pelican Rapids and Perham building their programs each year as well,” said head coach Tavia Bachmann. “We have a tough conference that will make us better for postseason play.”

Among the returning letter winners for the Hornets this season will be Hope Hamm, Evie Seim, Hailee Olson, Ellie Trieglaff, Brea Paurus, Riyan Eckert, Rylea Sandberg, Ashley Malikowski and Layla Post. While they were key parts of the Hornets team last season, several of them will take on an expanded role as they look to fill the roles left by last year’s senior class. 

“All of our seniors last year played huge roles for us. Kate Vigen was our center fielder and was a key piece in our batting order with her slapping. Faith Hamm was an integral part of our batting order and was a strong catcher for us,” said Bachmann. “Ally Bessler played RF and Alexis Heaton had a strong bat for us.”

In fact, a pair of members from last year’s team currently play in college, that being Vigen at Mayville State and Hamm at the University of Minnesota-Morris.

In addition to the returning letter winners, Sophia Strand could make an impact on the varsity level this season as she will pick up some of the catching duties.

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Bachmann said the team hopes to be a strong competitor in the section this season.

“While we have lost some strong players, we have a strong group of experienced athletes that we are excited to be bringing that experience to a new section this year,” she said.

This season will bring a big change for the Hornets as they will drop from Section 8AA and make a return to Section 6A. The Hornets were always among the top teams in Class A in the past, and will hope to make a similar run in the section tournament this season as well. 

As the season draws near, Bachmann said she is looking forward to working with the team and watching them grow throughout the year. 

“I am excited to work with a great group of girls this year and to see the growth that we have as a team and also a program. We have great numbers in our younger grades and we are excited to see this program continue to grow,” she said. 

The Hornets are scheduled to open their season on Thursday, April 11 in a double header against Perham on the road. They will host their annual home tournament on Saturday, April 13 beginning at 10 a.m.