Softball: Paynesville Bulldogs start fresh in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Apr. 7—PAYNESVILLE — Only one full-time starter is back for the Paynesville softball team in 2026.
Visit extonnews.click for more information.
It is safe to say the Bulldogs, who finished 14-9 with a 10-4 record in the Central Minnesota Conference a season ago, will have a roster that is both young and inexperienced this spring.
Paynesville graduated nine starters from last spring's team, including two All-Area players.
At the top of the graduates who left the program are Kaydence Roeske and Kylie Pauls.
Roeske, who is currently a freshman goaltender for the Minnesota State University-Mankato women's hockey team, was an All-Area First Team pick in 2025. She posted a .519 batting average with 45 runs, 41 hits, 20 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Roeske is the school's record-holder for career hits (152) and career runs (141).
Pauls, who is currently a freshman for the Ridgewater softball team, was an All-Area Third Team selection last spring. She hit for a .421 average with 39 runs, 22 stolen bases and 17 RBIs.
Madison McNab and Arianna Messer, two of Paynesville's aces in the circle who were both All-Area Honorable Mentions, also graduated, as did Adesyn Bogie, Graysin Miller, Grace Roberg, Rayna Spanier and Charlotte Vearrier.
It is a senior class that will be very tough to replace in terms of the contributions they made.
"We are looking to Kymberlee Baehr to be our top pitcher," said head coach Zach Nelson. "Ava Martinson and Ava Albrecht will also contribute on the mound."
Dia Nelson and Zaylee Hartmann are a pair of part-time starters whom Paynesville retains.
Nelson, a freshman, batted .308 last spring. Hartmann, a junior, hit .267 with 16 RBIs last year.
Kiara Stanger and Kayla Topp, both seniors, are also expected to bring strong contributions in the field for the Bulldogs, who will enter the season without sophomore Claire Strong.
Strong was involved in a snowmobile accident in Montana in March, according to Zach Nelson.