Five MFL MarMac softball players gain all-conference distinction
MFL MarMac freshman Emme Wikner was a unanimous Upper Iowa first team all-conference selection, and was also named to the Iowa Girls Coach Association Class 2A NE All-District Team. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
By Audrey Posten
The MFL MarMac softball team was well represented on the Upper Iowa all-conference squads. Freshman Emme Wikner was a unanimous first team selection, seniors Ayla Gerndt and Kaitlin Picha were named to the second team and senior Katelyn Gerndt and junior Garnett Niedziejko were honorable mention picks.
Wikner, who was also named to the Iowa Girls Coach Association’s Class 2A NE All-District Team, played in 31 games for the Bulldogs. She hit a conference best .545—30 points better than the .515 put up by South Winneshiek’s Addison Timp—and trailed only Timp with a .588 on base percentage. Wikner collected 48 hits, which was fifth most in the UIC, including 33 singles, 12 doubles and three triples. The latter tied her for first place among conference hitters. Additionally, Wikner walked seven times and had the second fewest strikeouts of regular UIC players, with just three. She stole 29 bases, scored 21 runs and totaled 33 RBIs, tying her for third in the conference. Her 66 total bases were second most in the UIC.
As MFL MarMac’s shortstop, Wikner had a .943 fielding percentage and earned 62 assists and 54 putouts.
Ayla Gerndt hit .329 and had an on base percentage of .475 over 31 games. She was tied for third on the team with 26 hits, 22 of which were singles, three doubles and one a triple. Gerndt’s 21 walks were third most in the Upper Iowa Conference. Her stat line also include seven RBIs, 20 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. In centerfield, Gerndt put up a .971 fielding percentage and had only one error all season.
MFL MarMac’s third baseman, Picha earned a .317 batting average and .457 on base percentage in 31 games. She matched Gerndt’s 26 hits, six of which were for extra bases, and was also among conference leaders with 20 walks. Picha knocked in 17 runs, stole nine bases and scored a team-high 31 runs. Her 34 total bases were third most among Bulldog players.
Katelyn Gerndt put up a .296 average and .396 on base percentage as MFL MarMac’s second baseman. She compiled 24 hits in 31 games, including three triples, walked nine times and was hit by a pitch five times. Gerndt brought home the fourth most RBIs, with 11, in addition to scoring 11 runs and stealing seven bases. Defensively, Gerndt had a .914 fielding percentage, with 43 assists and 42 putouts.
Niedziejko played in 31 games, mostly as catcher, earning a .348 batting average. Her 31 hits were second most on the team, as were her 26 RBIs and 36 total bases.
