It's nothing against Leelanau County, but Glen Lake softball coach Gary Galla is happy to be spending spring break with most of his team in South Carolina.

This is the third year the Laker softball team has prepared for the season by heading south of the Mason-Dixon line for some pre-season outdoor practice time in warm conditions. Galla and the players left Maple City early on Friday in a charter bus for South Carolina.

“We’ve only had two practices outside since the season started. It’s been warm and sunny, but the snow wasn’t off our softball diamond until earlier this week,” Galla said last week, before departing on the trip.

Glen Lake has 27 players on the varsity and junior varsity teams this season. Returning starters from last year’s 21-15 team are seniors Sabrina Galla, Tara Novak, Danielle Noonan, Annie Lang, Lindsey Skellenger, Shannon Galla, Erika Easter, Hayley Blough, Kaleigh Blackburn and Lauryn Pleva. Returning juniors include Cori Kahler, Rachelle Brzezinski, Haley Sobczak. Sophomore Kristen Pleva returns as well.

Galla said he is excited about having a transfer student from Benzie, junior Jess Syrocki, be part of the team this year. She will be the team manager this year because of state transfer rules, but will be available to play next year.

Coach Galla said he has players in mind for some positions, with Noonan and Kahler taking turns on the pitching mound, Sabrina Galla at first base, Lauryn Pleva at shortstop, Tara Novak at third, and Annie Lang and Skellenger competing for the catcher’s spot.

The Northwest Conference will again be top-heavy with contenders, but the team to beat appears t
to be Frankfort.

“Frankfort has been so dominant, I see that continuing this season. I think we’re in the mix along with Kingsley. You also have to look out for Manton; this is their last year in the league,” he said.
While the conference race will be on his mind, Galla said Glen Lake will have to run the gauntlet again this year at the Division IV District playoffs. The Lakers will play at the District hosted by St. Mary, which eliminated Glen Lake last year, and face perennial powerhouse St. Francis as well as darkhorse contender Leland.

“With both St. Mary and St. Francis in the mix, and Leland, the District could be very tough again this year,” Galla said.

Suttons Bay’s softball team has some new faces this season, as Jen Kloosterman has taken over head coaching duties from Jamie Robinson. Kloosterman served as an assistant to Robinson the last two years. Also new to the Suttons Bay team are Northport students Michelle Paquette and Krista Young. Northport and Suttons Bay have a cooperative agreement in place for softball and baseball this season.

“We are so excited to have Michelle and Krista on the team. They are both great athletes and are fitting right in with the team," Kloosterman said.

Norsemen softball has been in a bit of slump over the last four years. Last year’s team struggled to a 5-21 overall record and finished in fifth place in the Northwest Conference.

Suttons Bay has 19 players on the team this year, including nine who return from last year. Kaela Parrent and Sandie Princ are the two returning seniors. Juniors back for this year are Katie Dupree, Elaina Leaureaux, Taylor Mentzer, and Christa Nesky. Junior Molly Branson is on the team as a new player this year. Returning sophomores are Cherie Forton, Jackie Kohler and Biri Luna, with Rebecca Reyhl playing her first year on the team.

The Norse have their first doubleheader under the belt, a loss at Traverse City West on March 27, 10-0, 16-1. Kloosterman said that compared to last year, the Norse are looking pretty good. “We had some personality clashes last year. So far things are going great,” she said.

Glen Lake opens the season at T-C West on Tuesday, April 10, with Suttons Bay’s next game at Benzie on Wednesday, April 11.