Tight-knit Coe softball senior class helps Kohawks earn No. 1 seed in American Rivers Conference tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS — Keera Ball recalled the immediate bond formed by her freshman class.

Many were local players who likely played with or against each other in high school or club ball. They were familiar, friendly and fun.

“We got to know each other right away and have built upon that,” Ball said. “There were a lot of Iowa players from Iowa that have come together, doing a good job at Coe.”

The seniors have stuck together through thick and thin, including a shortened season, a new skipper, titles and displeasure. They have formed the backbone of a program that captured its seventh regular-season conference title and earned a chance to host the American Rivers Conference tournament.

“We honored 10 seniors last weekend, though some of them are coming back, but they’ve been through stuff from the Covid year to a coaching change to some disappointment last year after being conference champs in 2021,” first-year Coe head coach Jake Koolbeck said. “It’s a really resilient group and it starts with that leadership.

“To host it on our field and allow our girls the opportunity, it’s something we’re excited about and we’re embracing whether there’s a target on our back or not. Our perspective is it’s an honor more than pressure. It’s something we’ve earned and will try to play the best.”

All those trials and tribulations strengthened a tight-knit group that enjoys being around each other. The unity has paid dividends on the field, producing a 31-7 overall record with a 13-3 conference mark.

“We’ve been through a lot,” Ball said. “It has brought us closer together. We’re all good friends. Now, we’re just trying to get the job done on the field.

“Our team camaraderie is strong. It is fun. There is a lot of joking around, keeping it light on the field.”

Seniors play a huge role in the lineup, starting in the circle with senior pitchers Ellie Thurow and Hannah Ausenhus, who have combined for a 25-5 record. The veteran infield includes all-around athlete Heather Boeckenstedt at shortstop and the steady Ball, who hasn’t made an error in more than 200 chances on the right side. Senior catcher Skyler Stookey has 12 home runs and classmate Ruby Kappeler adds an ability to chase down most balls hit to center field.

The Kohawks have a team-first mentality that trickles down where they sacrifice at-bats to move runners, give up their bodies diving for a ball and offer complete effort.

“Their willingness to play for each other and give up some of their numbers on some stuff about them to do what is necessary for us,” Koolbeck said. “It’s that push to be great as a unit and not focused on the individual.”

The seniors’ impact off the field has been just as important. The Kohawks’ were familiar with Koolbeck when he took the reins after serving Meyer’s assistant, but there was still a transition period. Seniors helped make decisions, instructed younger athletes and allowed the new head coach to lean on them.

“It was huge,” said Koolbeck, who praised Meyer for leaving him a talented squad. “I don’t know if I could have a better situation with having so many experienced upperclassmen to help navigate our season and what we wanted to do.”

Coe won the American Rivers Conference regular season for the second time in three season. Call it balanced, competitive or plain strange. The top three teams have each swept each other with Coe sweeping second-seeded Luther and dropping two to Central, which swept Coe. Add in the fact that No. 4 Wartburg has split with everyone in the tournament and No. 5 Loras split with everyone except for Coe.

Coe and Luther received first-round byes. The Kohawks face the winner of Loras and Wartburg on Saturday. They need two wins for their first tournament title since 2009 and an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

“There are six great teams that are in the tournament and even three tough teams that didn’t make it,” Koolbeck said. “It shows the depth of the league. It’s a tough league to figure out. It really comes down to the players and coaches, making it hard to win two games against others in the league.”

Koolbeck said strong pitching and defense are key this time of year. He also likes their chances when the offense scores early.

The Kohawks have adopted an interesting motto this season. Ball said the foe doesn’t matter and they will have to play their best, regardless. Coe is concerned with its own performance. The seniors will remind everyone of it.

“We talked about having a faceless and nameless opponent and not caring who is in the other dugout, Ball said. “Just showing up to play Kohawk softball. Play our way and if we do that, we’ll normally get it done.”

American Rivers Conference softball tournament schedule

(At Coe College)

Friday’s games

2 p.m. — Wartburg vs. Loras

4:30 p.m. — Central vs. Nebraska Weslyean

Saturday

11 a.m. — Coe vs. Wartburg-Loras winner

1:30 p.m. — Luther vs. Central-Nebraska Wesleyan winner

4 p.m. — Championship

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