MILWAUKEE — The softball program at Bryant & Stratton College has had a dominant stretch. It has recorded 103 wins in the last three seasons, and now the Bobcats are preparing for a new season after falling one game short of nationals. 

“We had a very successful year,” softball head coach Dean Herman said. “It is always our goal to be in championship Sunday and to go to nationals. We, unfortunately, lost in the game to send us [there]. We told our team at the conclusion of last year to, ‘Remember this feeling and carry it with us next season.’ Next season is here, and this group is hungry to get after it. The goal is to be competitive in every game we play, keep our team goals in mind and at the end of the year, be in the game to go to nationals.”

Karissa Laabs, Bella Herman and Lizzy Wesoloski were the top offensive producers last year, recording a combined batting average of .481. Laabs and Bella are now at UW-Green Bay, but Wesoloski, an all-region recipient the previous season, is back for Bryant & Stratton.

“She is one of the leaders on our team. We are looking to her for her leadership and to lead us at the plate offensively,” Dean said.

Other vital players suiting up for the Bobcats this season are Macey Clark and Holly Lowenberg, who was named WFSCA D3 Player of the Year. 

“Our pitching staff, specifically sophomore pitcher Macey Clark, will play a key role for us,” Dean said. “She has a year of experience under her belt and has made an incredible transformation from last year to this year. Her maturity has helped nurture our freshman pitcher, Holly Lowenberg. She [Holly] is dialed in, ready to compete and brings a no-nonsense attitude to the mound.”

Other key players to be on the lookout for this season are Nora Statz and freshman Kayla Roidt.

“We will be needing both players to lead us on the field and be powerful hitters at the plate,” Dean said.

While plenty of players are set to make an impact on the field, the Bobcats expect their competition to bring everything they have, including South Suburban, who ended their 2022-23 campaign. 

“Our region is highly competitive,” Dean said. “We typically find ourselves competing against Rock Valley, Madison College, Black Hawk and Triton for top spots. We do have South Suburban highlighted on our calendar this year.”

Bryant & Stratton’s softball team has had significant success over the last couple of years and while expections are high once again, eveyone is ready to start competing.

“Our team gels really well,” Dean said. “It doesn’t matter if you are in the lineup or cheering from the side; our team has our goals in mind. We want our teammates to succeed because if our teammates succeed, we succeed. We are all really just anxious to get on the field.”

The Bobcats start their season on March 4 against Hocking College.