RETURNING LETTERWINNERS FOR THE 2026 WEBSTER CITY SOFTBALL TEAM are, front row (left to right): Alivia Burns, Josslyn Carden, Jakaela Cherry and Morgan Hackbarth. Back: Izzy Weinschenk, Morgan Tempel, Briley VanDeer, Jaylyn Bahrenfuss, Hayden McCoy, Megan VanDeer and Amanda Lahr. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

The buzz Brad VanDeer feels around his Webster City softball team is just an extension of the time he saw the players put in during the offseason.

Last year, the Lynx finished 7-18 overall, placing seventh in the North Central Conference. With several returning starters back in the fold, though, VanDeer sees a turnaround coming.

“I’m really excited with the amount of experience we have,” he said. “The entire team has put enough hours into training this offseason that their confidence should be pretty high right now.”

Webster City will need to replace starters Cloe Savitski, Lydia VanDeer and Breanna Bahrenfuss, but the squad has starters Alivia Burns, Morgan Hackbarth, Morgan Tempel, Briley VanDeer and Jakaela Cherry all back.

Burns, a multi-sport standout like so many of her teammates, had 12 hits, drew 10 walks and scored eight runs last year with six steals.

“Alivia anchors the outfield,” VanDeer said. “Her leadership is greatly needed and has been tremendous so far this season.”

Tempel ranked among the team leaders in RBI. She recorded 23 hits as a freshman.

Hackbarth had 18 hits with 12 RBI and five doubles as a junior last summer.

“Morgan (Tempel) is our top returning hitter and looks very confident early on,” VanDeer said. “Morgan (Hackbarth) is back at first base and has picked up right where she left off.”

Hayden McCoy played in 12 games last year as a sophomore and is working at second base this season. VanDeer sees bigger roles for senior Josslyn Carden, sophomore Haydin Sealine and sophomore Kylee Fortune.

“I’m looking for Hayden to continue to step up and compete in her role,” VanDeer said. “Josslyn, Haydin and Kylee are all kids working hard to earn time on the field.

“We have some kids battling it out to replace Cloe at catcher. All have done some nice things in practice.”

Inside the circle, VanDeer will have Cherry and Briley VanDeer to rotate. Cherry had five victories as a junior with 91 strikeouts. VanDeer won two games and had 22 strikeouts.

“Jakaela and Briley have both spent a lot of time in the gym and the weight room,” VanDeer said. “I expect pitching to be much improved this year.”

Webster City won at least 16 games in six of seven seasons before last year, including a 22-8 mark and a piece of the North Central Conference title during that run.

“We are going to need to lean on our defense this year,” VanDeer said. “A couple of years ago, we had (current Western Kentucky University pitcher) Delainey (Bargfrede) that could strike us out of a jam. The team knows we have to cut out the big innings (after mistakes) on defense.

“We have some talented kids on that side of the ball. I feel good about what they are capable of.”

VanDeer also noted that, “our biggest focus this season is to compete for each other, to feed off each other.

“If we can take that step forward, we are going to have some good days ahead of us,” VanDeer said.

The Lynx open the season at Carroll on Tuesday. They make their home debut three nights later in NCC action vs. Clarion-Goldfield/Dows on May 29.

The Dave Hilton Classic will take place Saturday, June 13, and include Algona, Carlisle and Saydel.

Webster City will also play in the Paul and Mary Ann Graves Classic, hosted by Perry, and the Roland-Story Classic this year.

2026 WEBSTER CITY SOFTBALL

Roster

Seniors — Josslyn Carden, Alivia Burns, Morgan Hackbarth, Jakaela Cherry.

Juniors — Megan VanDeer, Hayden McCoy, Amanda Lahr.

Sophomores — Izzy Weinschenk, Kylee Fortune, Jaylyn Bahrenfuss, Briley VanDeer, Haydin Sealine, Morgan Tempel.

Freshmen — Tessa Hansen, Tessi Farley.

Schedule

May 26 — at Carroll; 29 — Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

June 1 — Humboldt; 2 — Storm Lake; 3 — at Clear Lake; 5 — Fort Dodge S. Edmond; 6 — at Perry; 8 — at Algona; 10 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 11 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 12 — Carlisle; 13 — Dave Hilton Classic; 15 — at Humboldt; 16 — at Boone; 17 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 18 — at Pocahontas Area; 22 — Clear Lake; 24 — at Fort Dodge St. Edmond; 27 — at Roland-Story; 29 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

July 1 — at Iowa Falls-Alden; 2 — Eagle Grove; 6 — Southeast Valley.