2005
Back row: assistant coach Matt Bellerive, Laura Raethke, Jamie Bjurquist, Ashley Borchardt,
Hannah Walsh, Kayla Brantner, Krista Peters, Molly McIntosh, assistant coach Renee Stein, and
assistant coach Mel Westberg. Front row: Head coach Jim Haines, Mary Buvala, Kacey Moline,
Rachel Haines, Kelsey Church, Holly Roffler, Dana McGovern, and Tina Hince
The 2005 Pepin Lady Laker softball Team would enter the year as the heavy favorites to
repeat as the Dunn St. Croix conference champions for the 11th year in a row. This was a
team that had a core group of seniors that mirrored a group of seniors from a decade
before them. I had been following Pepin softball for a long time. I had seen all the teams
first hand as a fan, but I had only  been here as a coach since 2004. This was a team that
had  attitude, and after losing to Eau claire Regis the previous 3 years in the playoffs
entered the 2005 season with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They new they were good,
we all knew they were good, and they had something to prove to everybody! Starting out
the season on the right foot against a tough opponent is what they needed. After the girls
gave Elmwood a good old fashion beating in 5 innings, we were off to a good start. As
the season progressed it was quite evident that the 1st goal set would be accomplished.
They would finish the conference schedule a perfect 13-0 and secure the 11th straight
Dunn St. Croix title. When the regionals started you could see a renewed focus. There
was a lot of work left to be done and the seniors would make sure everybody knew it.
After a 1st round bye the ladies would welcome the Augusta beavers to town. They would
not be going home victorious, Kelsey would face only 3 over the minimum and be in prime
form for our pals form Elmwood. 13-0 in conference and already beat them 2 times
handily. You know what that means at tournament time right? It seems like there was
another time that we had a perfect conference record, beaten Elmwood twice and had to
play them in a big game. OH YA, FORGOT!  The regional championship was only one
more win against Elmwood away. Call it nerves, call it what you want this time it was a lot
closer than the previous 2 blowouts during the regular season. It did not matter, at
tournament time all you are after is the "W" and it belonged to us. After sending Elmwood
home for the year it was off to the sectional in Augusta. We would be facing Blair Taylor
who nobody really knew anything about. After we destroyed them 19-1 in the most
lopsided sectional game you will ever see, we were only one game away from a place
these girls had been waiting to play at for a long time.  Necedah would provide very little
resistance, on the girls quest to play on the field that no other Laker team had played on
yet. Since 2002 the state tournament had been played on Goodman Diamond in
Madison. A far better place to play than Waukesha., and next week we would  finally be
playing there! In the semifinal game against Lake Holcome we would waste so many
opportunities and as the game went on you would have that uncomfortable feeling that
something bad could happen at any time. Thankfully it never did and we survived with a
1-0 victory. All that was standing between us and our 3rd state championship was one of
those damn private schools. (don't get me started!)  In a close game that would boil down
to a controversial call in the bottom of the seventh inning, we would come up just short
losing to Assumption 5-2.  They say it is a game of inches, how about millimeters. Kacey
Molines ball down the 3rd baseline only missed by the smallest of margins. It was a hell of
a game, it was a hell of a season. These young ladies played like champions all year and
had fun. It was fun to be a part of it .  When we arrived back in Pepin that afternoon it was
obvious that the entire community appreciated the outstanding effort that their beloved
Laky Lakers had put forth in Madison. The Police escort thru town with all the people
standing outside with signs and cheering the girls will leave a lasting memory on how
special this team was!


Thanks Ladies!!!