The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds fastpitch softball team opens the 2026 season with a familiar face on the field and renewed optimism in the dugout.
Led by 35th-year head coach Tom Anderson (466-279) and assisted by Stacy Bestul in her 26th year and Brooke Manley in her fifth, the Thunderbirds return 10 players with significant varsity experience from a 2025 campaign that finished 12-12 overall and 5-9 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-East. That placed them seventh in the league, behind champion Manawa (12-2), Bonduel (11-3) and Wittenberg-Birnamwood (10-4). The Thunderbirds lost in the regional semifinals to Oconto, 7-4, last spring.
This year, Anderson and his staff hope experience and depth will translate into consistent competitiveness and steady improvement throughout the season.
“Our goal for this season as in past seasons is to always stay competitive in each game and improve throughout the season,” Head Coach Tom Anderson notes. “If we compete and improve throughout the season, we will be okay.”
Season opens at home, followed by Florida Trip
Weather permitting, the Thunderbirds open the season at home Thursday, April 2, hosting Wabeno-Laona with first pitch at 4:30 p.m. The team then departs on Monday, April 6, for a six-day spring training trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. There, the Thunderbirds will practice, play three games in warm conditions, and enjoy the theme parks.
For the latest updates, including weather-related cancellations, fans can call the I-S Softball Hotline at 715-445-2411, ext. 5000.
With a veteran core, strong battery, and added depth, the Thunderbirds aim to compete in every game and build momentum as the season progresses in the always-tough CWC-East.
Veteran battery and infield lead the way
Senior catcher Brooklyn Berrens headlines the returners after missing much of her junior season with a leg injury. Berrens earned all-conference, all-district, and all-state honors as a freshman and sophomore. She pairs with senior pitcher Rayanne Clendenning, who earned second-team all-conference honors last season, to form what the coaching staff views as a strong battery. Solid pitching and catching remain critical in fastpitch softball.
Joining them as key seniors with substantial playing time are Brylee Jueds at first base, Maya Munoz at shortstop, Ava Printz in center field, and Katie Rosenthal at third base. Munoz earned honorable mention all-conference honors in 2025.
The infield returns most of its starters, though it was inconsistent a year ago. Rosenthal, Munoz and Brylee Jueds anchor the corners and middle, while junior Maddie Karolus started most games at second base last season. The coaching staff expects improvement with another year of experience.
Junior pitchers Charlotte Isermann and Emma Printz will share additional pitching duties at the varsity and junior varsity levels. Karolus and sophomore Braelyn Jueds, a varsity starter as a freshman, could also see time behind the plate. Braelyn Jueds adds versatility in the outfield as well.
Depth provides flexibility
The Thunderbirds boast depth that should allow versatility across positions. Seniors Natalie Schwirtz, juniors Jenna Kurki, Sophia Munoz and Cayleigh Woyak, sophomores Sydney Bestul and Maggie Maus, and freshmen Ruby Maus, Bailey Opperman and Taedym Peskie will battle for playing time. Players not seeing regular varsity action will compete on the junior varsity squad, with most JV games following varsity contests.
The outfield looks solid with Ava Printz, Emma Printz, and Braelyn Jueds, though some outfielders may shift depending on infield needs.
Conference outlook remains competitive
Amherst lost first team all-conference second baseman Makenna Orsund but returns second team all-conference senior Sammie Nooyen (P) and honorable mention all-conference senior Delaney Conner (RF) and junior Ivy Boelk (CF).
Bonduel lost first-team all-conference centerfielder Tatum Sporisky and second-team all-conference second baseman Taylor Rank. The Bears return first team all-conference sophomore Emery Thompson (SS), second team all-conference seniors Jayla Reinke (3B) and Marlie Hartmann (LF) and honorable mention all-conference senior Julianna Jacobs (1B). Conference champion.
Manawa graduated five players who earned all-conference honors. They include first team all-conference second baseman Kelsey Behnke and shortstop Lily Krenke, second team all-conference players Briley Rosin (3B), Ellie Stroesenreuther (C) and Breanna Bonikowske (1B). The Wolves return junior first team all-conference pitcher Olivia Zielke and honorable mention all-conference junior outfielders Alayna Seeger and Alyssa Zemple.
Shiocton lost second-team all-conference pitcher Abby Presteen and honorable mention all-conference third baseman Morgan Oskey. The Chiefs return first-team all-conference junior catcher Ella Griesbach and honorable-mention all-conference sophomore centerfielder Cally Presteen.
Weyauwega-Fremont graduated first team all-conference pitcher Olivia Witkowski and honorable mention all-conference centerfielder Hannah Pantzlaff. The Warhawks return honorable mention all-conference seniors Jalyn Loehrke (2B) and Sophia McCoy (1B).
Wittenberg-Birnamwood lost honorable mention all-conference players Ella Eichman (P) and Sophia Lemieux (3B). The Chargers return conference player of the year senior shortstop Rory Salveson. She also earned first-team all-district and first-team all-state honors. The Chargers also return senior first-team all-conference second baseman Brie Ladika, sophomore second-team all-conference outfielder Chloe Hanson, and junior honorable-mention all-conference catcher Jayda Moenke.
“As always, this should be an interesting conference race this season,” Head Coach Tom Anderson related. “Bonduel returns sophomore pitcher Emery Thompson and senior pitcher Marlie Hartmann, and they have solid players at each position. Wittenberg-Birnamwood also has solid players returning at each position, but they will need to find a new number-one pitcher. Manawa lost five players who earned all-conference honors from last year’s championship team, but they do return their number one pitcher, Oliva Zielke, so she should keep them competitive.
“Amherst and Iola-Scandinavia will return both their pitchers and catchers from last year and have quality players throughout their lineup. Shiocton and Weyauwega-Fremont will need to find a new number one pitcher to make their teams competitive. The CWC-East conference continues to be strong and balanced,” Anderson continued.
2026 Softball Schedule
