The MPE Panthers, formally named Diamond Dolls, softball team finished their third season together with Head Coach Will Winkelmann and Assistant Coach Jon Ackerman. The team started playing the girl’s kindergarten year - Spring 2021. Half the team didn’t even know each other at the start of the season -- because of COVID, the classes weren’t allowed to play together, so spring softball was the first time this group of girls and parents were all getting to hang out. Their personalities are all unique, but they have spent the last three seasons really encouraging each other in and out of the dugout. 

There are a lot of components to softball, and it isn’t the quickest game to keep the attention of young kids, so Coach Will has to bring all his energy to keep it fun and interesting for the girls. He encourages competition with base races; he brings in other parents to help form smaller group rotations during practice so the girls are constantly moving and focused; and we’ve curated a walk-up playlist to match each girl’s personality at bat. As a team, we’ve been lucky that most of the girls have kept with it – 9/12 girls have been with us since kindergarten, so it’s been easy to build on their skills from season to season. This was the first season of machine pitch, which brought another layer of energy to the girls’ motivation to play harder. You could see the spark in each of their eyes when their bat connected with the ball or when they got an out at base. The game got fun this year! We can’t wait to see how these girls do as third graders next spring!

"Coaching the team the last three seasons has been rewarding. I enjoy seeing how the girls develop their skills and mature in the game. But they're still the same personalities as when we started in kindergarten." - Coach Will

Ava Winkelmann – “High Hopes” by Panic at the Disco

Emily Eames – “That’s What You Get” by Paramore 

Scarlett Salgado – “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor 

Caroline Wile – “Back in Black” by AC/DC

Lyla Grates – “Style” by Taylor Swift

Harper Ackerman – “Only Human” by Jonas Brothers 

Olivia Snedden – “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles 

Mia Guillotti – “Alien Invasion” by ZOMBIES 3

Ashley Barry – “Bye Bye Bye” by N’SYNC

Annabel Scott – “Ain’t Going Down ‘til the Sun Goes Up” by Garth Brooks 

Olivia Hannel – “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Sidney Boyd – “Sunroof” by Nicky Youre & Dazy

"We really like cheering for each other and our coaches are nice. They taught us a lot." - Ashley Barry

"It's been a great year, I'm really proud of everyone and I hope we do better next year." Mia Guilliotti
 

"Being on the Panthers is the best. You learn different positions and have fun." - Emily Eames

"I love playing softball. All the girls have fun. We make cheers to encourage each other. The coaches are funny, always telling us to stop playing the sand, and every girl brings their own style and talent to the team. And we have fun hangouts after games, too." - Ava Winkelmann

"My team and coaches are awesome, sweet and kind." - Lyla Grates

 "I think it was extra fun playing with my friends and I love the support of my teammates." - Scarlett Salgado

"Batting, just batting!" - Caroline Wile

"My favorite part was cheering on the team. And practicing dance moves in the outfield." - Olivia Hannel