Perry softball returns to action this week.  The 2025 season brings a new head coach, Emma Olejniczak.  The former Perry athlete takes over for Tina Lutterman.  The Jayettes advanced to the Regional title game last year, but fell to DCG.  The lineup returns the top two hitters in Karagyn and Kalley Whelchel.  Karagyn returns after being named First Team Heart of Iowa Conference as the sophomore hit .454.  Kalley and Cate Erickson both had strong freshmen campaigns as they were named on the second team.

The middle of the order will miss Emmalee Bell, who smacked five homers and accounted for a team high 20 RBI’s.  Perry will also be without the services of Maci Tunick in the circle.  Tunick had been the ace since her sophomore year.  She appeared in 103 games pitching in her varsity career.  Coach Olejniczak will have to trust someone else on the rubber.  That is likely senior, Christina Kanealy, who has pitched sparingly the last two seasons.

Low numbers plague this year’s squad.  Coach Olejniczak won’t be able to field a JV team with just 11 girls.  Perry will host Greene County tomorrow night at 7P with the game airing on 94.3, 99.7, and AM 1310 KDLS.