Behlianno's Athlete of the Week: April 4

KSKK/KVKK’s Behlianno’s Athlete of the Week is Caitlin Volkmann of the Wadena-Deer Creek softball team.

Volkmann pitched a complete game (five innings), allowing three runs (two earned), while striking out five as Wadena-Deer Creek thumped Bertha-Hewitt 21-3 in its season opener last week. She also scored three runs and drove in three more.

The junior plays shortstop, too, but coach Craig Klawitter will be relying heavily upon her to take the hill after Amanda Perkins graduated last spring.

Last Tuesday’s win was a good start.

“I’m expecting to get a lot more pitching in,” Volkmann said. “So I need to step up and help win more games there.”

An expanded workload at the game’s most scrutinized position doesn’t faze Volkmann, who says she is prepared for whatever Klawitter asks of her.  

Offensively, she set a team record for sacrifices last year and hopes eclipse her own mark this season.

Including Volkmann, WDC returns seven players from its 2011 squad that finished 12-9.

This year: so far, so good.

“I still think we have some things to work on, but I think we should have a good year,” Volkmann said.