The process wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t fast.
However, the Westby Norsemen softball team worked through the spring season grind to not only meet, but exceed a preseason goal of finishing at .500.
For the first time since 2023, the Norsemen’s diamond girls finished the season with a winning mark. Westby clinched its first above .500 finish with a regional semifinal match victory at home and went on to post an overall record of 12-11 after going 6-6 in Coulee Conference play, taking fourth among the seven teams.
The team’s final win - the one that set up a winning record - was a 12-2, five inning triumph over Westfield in a Division 3 regional semifinal. The campaign came to an end in a road 7-0 loss to eventual sectional finalist, Adams-Friendship, in a D3 regional championship game.
Westby softball head coach Morgan Stenslien said the turnaround was due to the leadership and play of the team’s four seniors.
Ava Berg, who was named first team All-Conference, and Emma Kirner was named second team All-Conference, led the way among the quartet from the Class of 2026.
Berg led WHS from the circle, recording 61 strikeouts. Offensively, in conference play, Berg had 12 hits and 12 RBIs. Kirner contributed 13 hits and a trio of RBIs in Coulee play.
Fellow seniors Taylor Davidson and Mera Peacock also played a role in the Norsemen’s turnaround this spring with their added leadership as upperclassmen.
That leadership played a role in the final month of the regular season in May, when the team went 8-3. To end that stretch, Westby posted a four-game winning streak to close out the regular season and, with the regional-opening victory, finished above .500 for the first time since playing to a sectional final appearance three years ago when the team went 19-3 overall and 12-0 in conference play.
“Hats off to my senior leaders. It is really hard when May rolls around with all of the distractions. My senior group was spot on,” Stenslien said. “I think their continued level of intensity helped carry the team.”
The coach went on to mention how the seniors led by example this season even with the grind of the season.
“They were just leaders that showed up to compete,” Stenslien said. “It was hard to show up because our schedule was so grueling with four games a week. They found a way to play and compete and it was one of the best examples I have ever witnessed as a head coach.”
Stenslien said another positive aside from finishing with a winning record was the growth she saw from the team.
“You want to peak at the right time and I think the timing of our peak and our steady climb throughout the season was outstanding.” Stenslien said. “There were a lot of positives.”
While being ready to compete is important, Stenslien added that another aspect the returning players can learn from the seniors is how keeping things fun is also beneficial.
“When there is a fun positive energy in the dugout and at practice good things happen,” Stenslien said. “We try as a coaching staff to be high energy and have a lot of fun when we are together. I think those returning kids sense that and how important it is to be consistent.”
