Softball: Young Dawson-Boyd Blackjacks seek better results in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 7—DAWSON — A young team a season ago, the Dawson-Boyd softball team is hoping it can lean on its experience and lessons learned from last spring to aim for a better 2026 season.
Nick Gruwell, in his second season as head coach, saw the Blackjacks finish 1-16 last year, including 1-12 Camden Conference record.
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"This season is going to go better than last year," Gruwell said. "We'll be pretty competitive."
Dawson-Boyd returns the majority of its starting lineup for the 2026 season, though it lost a small, but mighty senior class led by Natyah Ritter, who was the team's sole All-Camden pick.
The Blackjacks return junior pitchers Shay Bothun and Kadyn Perkins.
"We had a few close games with a young pitching staff," Gruwell said. "They've put in time."
Gruwell's squad has one senior in Macy Moen, who returns as starting catcher.
Bothun and Perkins are mainstays in a large junior class where Gruwell hopes to get strong contributions out of Rylin Viessman, who returns to the middle infield, Alivia Estling, who can play infield and outfield, and Lauren Lee, who will return at first base.
"We were young last year," Gruwell said.
Gruwell's team is still young, though some of his top players bring back solid experience.
Katelyn Gruwell, Nick's daughter, will reprise her role at third base for her sophomore season.
Gruwell is excited about the youth his roster presents, and specifically, he is looking forward to the contributions Ragan Viessman will provide in not only this year, but the many years to come.
"Ragan has talent," Gruwell said of the eighth-grader. "She's our up-and-coming catcher."
Gruwell's assistant coach for the 2026 season is Alisha Schindler.