By Matt Browning
The Minneapolis softball team went 21-5 last season and qualified for the Class 3A Tournament, but the Lions lost a significant amount of talent from that squad.
However, head coach Bryan Weatherman remains optimistic about his team’s chances in 2026.
“We are replacing six seniors, but we can be as successful as last year,” Weatherman said. “We do not have a senior in the lineup and feel we can be highly competitive this year and into the future. Advancing to state is all about matchups and regional location, but I would like for us to be in a situation this year where we have a chance to play in a game that decides whether we advance or not.”
Minneapolis will rely on three key returners as its foundation: Kaegan Hardesty (P/3B), Miley McClure (SS) and Baylee Randall-Hurt (1B).
Last season, Hardesty hit .476 while also posting an 8-2 record in the circle. McClure hit .479 with 43 RBIs, and Randall-Hurt hit .379 with nine doubles.
Weatherman believes two factors will be critical to the Lions’ success this season.
“We need to develop a second pitcher and get production from the bottom of our lineup,” Weatherman said. “These two things would be my main concerns.”
