For the Westminster softball team, the 2022 season was considered magical by many. With the addition of power threat sophomores Allie and Paige Branstetter, the Wildcats launched their way to the final four in the class four state championship for the first time since 2017. The cats (carried by pitching ace Gabby Merrifield,) held their own against opponent Fatima high school up until the 5th inning, where things unfortunately went south for the cats. Fatima struck back winning the game 13-0, and eventually winning the class 4 state. Although it wasn’t exactly how the team hoped to end the season, they did achieve the unexpected making it farther than most would have anticipated.
There has been significant improvement for the softball program in the last few years. They went from 10-13 in the 2021 season, to 20-8 in 2022 with a 71.4% win percentage. “We are playing at the level we were halfway through last season, and it’s only the first week. This seasons going to be good,” said varsity coach Dan Petke. The cats look for great success this season, mainly due to all their new young fire power. Four freshmen joined the varsity squad, including pitching ace Jaymison Lenk. Hopes are very high for this season, and it is strongly anticipated that the cats will double their production from last year and bring home a state title.
