For the first time in almost five years, Elk River softball coach Stacey Sheetz can smile after her team played Maple Grove.
The Elks edged the Crimson 5-3 on Tuesday afternoon, and Sheetz said with a laugh that she may be even more excited than her players.
“We talked about not beating (Maple Grove) in a long time, but our goal more so is (to focus on) little things on our team,” Sheetz said, adding that some of her players are so young that the idea of a five-year drought against one opponent is lost on them.
Elk River's roster features seven sophomores and one freshman, but a lack of experience does not hamper a team full of optimists.
Sheetz says the youth is a key reason for the undeniable joy her players display on the field during the game, as was the case against the Crimson. But the upbeat attitude also stems from the coach and the Elks' ace in the circle.
“I feel like it’s really important when they’re learning and they make mistakes, to let them know that it’s okay to make a mistake,” Sheetz said. “We learn from (the mistake) and go from there.”
Senior pitcher Olivia Wolters, a second team all-state pick last season by the Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches’ Association, said that the team’s positive vibes are a welcome change from some of her past teammate groups.
“I’ve had the years where people get all frustrated and mad,” Wolters said. “I try to keep (my teammates) and myself happy. I know I play better when I’m happy.”
There was plenty to be happy about after Elk River beat its Northwest Suburban Conference rival Maple Grove for the first time since 2011 (four games).
Wolters, an Augustana (S.D.) commit, threw a complete game with nine strikeouts for the Elks (1-0), and went 2-for-4 with a RBI at the plate.
Despite multiple potential scoring threats in the Crimson lineup, Wolters fed off of the pressure and threw a tad harder than usual, ending three innings with strikeouts.
“I live for that,” Wolters said of high-leverage situations.
“I love that, when there’s runners (on base),” Wolters continued. “I love the pressure.”
The fondness for clutch situations trickles down to other members of the team, according to senior outfielder Sophia Schutt, who drove in the game-winning run in the top of the seventh for Elk River.
“Best feeling ever,” Schutt said. “There’s no better feeling that getting a great hit like that."
“Our team just loves (pressure).”
