The team is the returning 3A state title holder and has no plans for anything less in 2023. Don Krusemark, the team's storied coach, has led the Scarlett's for 23 years, with 13 Big Nine titles. 7 section titles. 2 state championships. Krusemark says "Our goals are always the same. Win the conference, section and state. Improve as a team each day and have fun. Be a good ambassador of Softball and the team."
Last season the Scarlets ended with a state championship. This season the team has some big shoes to fill graduating key starters in the circle and infield.
Last years graduating class left openings to back fill, in the circle with the loss of both starting pitchers in Stierlen and Douglas, as well as starters in the infield at 2nd, 3rd, and 1st. Despite these challenges, Mankato West has a tradition of talented players stepping up to fill the shoes of graduating seniors. Coach Krusemark says "Breck Carlson, Carlee Emery, Lauren Raberge, Landry DuBeau, Maddie Bode, Brooklyn Geerdes, Jillian Olsen, Lydia Banse are key returning players from last year’s state championship." "Pitching will be the key but we feel we have some quality depth. We will have a lot of team speed so we would like to run more."
The Scarlett's are led by seniors Breck Carlson, Lauren Raberge, and Carlee Emery. Carlson will continue playing college softball for Gustavus Adolphus, while Emery will also continue on to college softball at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Senior Lauren Raberge will bring experience back to the infield and the line up, along with returning varsity player Landry Dubeau.
Returning varsity pitcher Brooklyn Geerdes will get her opportunity to do much of the heavy lifting for Mankato West in the circle and in the batting line up. The infield will again be led by shortstop Breck Carlson, with returning varsity catcher Lydia Banse adding experience behind the plate. Despite being a freshman, Banse is expected to give a big boost to the team defensively and offensively.
The success of the Scarlets goes beyond the individual skills of their players. The local softball community, such as the Mankato Peppers, has played a significant role in promoting the sport and nurturing local talent. Additionally, a new National team, Portolite Peppers National, has been established in collaboration with the 24/7 Ball Sports facility in Mankato for the upcoming season.
Jillian Olsen, Torii Emery, and Lydia Banse, three players from Mankato West's Scarlet softball team, have recently joined a national team that has set their sights on a challenging summer schedule consisting of travel to large national tournaments in Colorado and Kansas City. Their primary focus will be on competing at a high level and attracting college recruitment attention. All the experience and opportunities from starting as Peppers at a young age, training locally at 24/7 Ball Sports, and competing nationally help bolster the high schools local talent.
Mankato West has a challenging season ahead of them and recent polling has the team rated in the top 3. However, with the talented roster and experienced coaching staff, the Scarlett's are sure to make an impressive showing on the field in 2023.