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Porath returns to diamond without Turner

Porath takes the helm for Bulldogs softball team

By Scott Bellile


Tony Porath will guide the New London girls’ softball team to a hopeful fourth consecutive state appearance this season without Laura Turner by his side.

Turner coached the Bulldogs for 12 years, leading them to a 2013 state championship and state runner-ups in 2005 and 2014. She said she’s been involved with softball since age 4 and decided to devote her time to improving her quality of life and accepting new challenges and experiences.

“I look forward to supporting these amazing coaches and young ladies [who] play the sport I love so much,” Turner said. “Seeing them develop into successful adults using all they’ve learned will be my greatest reward.”

Porath enters his 22nd year of coaching softball and enlists the help of assistant coach Melinda (Wulf) Hull, a former star player from New London’s Class of 2007. Porath shared his outlook for this season:

Returning players: Molly O’Connell, Leah Porath, Abby Elsholtz, Maddie Ruckdashel, Ashlee Moeller, Tori Starcheske, McCoy Mix, Ellen Steckbauer

Players to watch: Erin O’Connell, Faith Carothers, Josey Hintzke, Cassi Mytton, Bree Barrington, Camry Bigalke

How have your recent seasons been? “We have been in the state tournament for the last three years. We won it all in 2013, runner-up 2014 and lost in the first round last year.”

What are your team’s strengths? “We have a nice core of players that have a lot of experience at the varsity level, we are counting on them to bring along the younger girls and help gel as a team.”

What will your team need to work on? “Consistency. Building confidence with each other. Hitting.”

Which team or teams will provide you the biggest challenge, and why? “I don’t like to pinpoint any teams but I do know there are some good teams in our conference and we will need to play our best to compete with them. We have some non-conference games with some very good teams, which will hopefully make us better in the long run.”

Any predictions as to how far your team could get in the postseason? “No predictions. Hoping our team improves from game to game and we start feeling more confident as a team.”

What do you want your players to learn this season? “Fundamentals, being a good teammate, winning.”

New London Bulldogs softball schedule

Note: Games begin at 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

  • Tuesday, April 5 Varsity/JV at Freedom
  • Thursday, April 7 Var./JV vs. Shawano
  • Saturday, April 9, 9 a.m. Var./JV doubleheaders at Waupaca
  • Tuesday, April 12 Var./JV vs. Green Bay East
  • Thursday, April 14 Var./JV at Green Bay West
  • Tuesday, April 19 Var./JV at Xavier High School
  • Thursday, April 21 Var./JV vs. Seymour
  • Saturday, April 23, 9 a.m. Var. at Xavier/Nienhaus Sports Complex, Appleton (Invite)
  • Thursday, April 28 Var./JV at Green Bay East
  • Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m. Var./JV double headers vs. Menasha
  • Monday, May 2 Var./JV vs. Winneconne
  • Tuesday, May 3 Var./JV at Shawano
  • Thursday, May 5 Var./JV vs. Xavier
  • Saturday, May 7, 11 a.m. Var./JV at Bay Port (Quad with Hortonville and De Pere)
  • Tuesday, May 10 Var./JV vs. Green Bay West
  • Thursday, May 12 Var./JV at Seymour
  • Tuesday, May 17 Var./JV vs. West De Pere
  • Thursday, May 19 Var./JV at West De Pere
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