Wakefield High School’s softball team, with a current record of 6-1, is readily preparing for another great season. Led by head coach Danny Inscoe, the Lady Wolverines are carrying their momentum from last season into the new year. They hope to not only advance far in the conference and state playoffs, but also to keep team morale high.
Coaches and players alike have high hopes for the 2025 season. Assistant coach Chuck Rie
hle has helped the Wakefield softball team for the past four years and has high expectations for the team’s performance.
“I expect us to compete to win the conference championship and make the playoffs,” Chuck Riehle said. “I’m of the mindset that when you make the playoffs, it’s a new season and everybody’s got a chance, so you have to bring your best every game or it could be your last.”
To make their goals, they have to put in the work to make players both individually skilled and cohesive on the field as a team. This year, Inscoe has been working to integrate new members into the team dynamic both in practice and at their first few games.
“There have been players waiting in line, waiting for a chance to prove themselves,” Inscoe said. “We lost seven seniors and five starters [this year]. So, we are starting with five new people every game.”
Both new and returning players are giving it their all at every game and practice in order to support the team. Practices are vital to building the skills necessary for success, and since practices are few and far between, the Lady Wolverines don’t waste a second of their time.
“We have a routine called ‘everydays,’” Inscoe said. “We do them every day, then we try to do something relating to what we need to work on at that time, whether it be defense or hitting.”
Coaching is more than just running practices. Beyond coaching the girls through hitting and defensive plays, both Riehle and Inscoe make sure to support each player in the ways most beneficial to them.
“It’s about instilling confidence in the players and coaching them the right way,” Chuck Riehle said. “In baseball and softball, one of the hardest things is to not get in your own head and to not overthink things. You should try to get back to the fundamentals.”
The effort put into coaching the Lady Wolverines has not gone unnoticed by the players. By uplifting players, building skills and personally guiding individuals, coaches Inscoe and Riehle have made all the difference in the players’ mindsets and performance. Brianna Riehle, the starting shortstop and senior, appreciates her coach’s efforts.
“Inscoe is the best; I don’t think we could get better than him,” Brianna Riehle said. “He will take time out of his day to work with you on something if you ask him to. He’s just always there for us.”
On top of good coaching, the players themselves have been building a tight bond that helps both their performance and their relationships. Bus rides to and from games have been a highlight for many of the girls.
“We just start singing karaoke, and we always stop for dinner after [games] at rotating places,” Brianna Riehle said. “It’s fun spending time with each other.”
Together, the team has established an unbreakable spirit and collective goals. Madison Lampman, a long-time softball player, Wakefield’s catcher and junior, aspires to use their team dynamic to make decent headway in the playoffs.
“[The goal is to] make it as far as possible,” Lampman said. “Obviously, trying to make it farther than we did last year.”
The energy around Wakefield softball is nothing short of electric. One of the strongest parts of the team is player bonds and the delightful environment that they foster, allowing them to be both successful and confident.
“My favorite thing about Wakefield softball is that we are all connected, and we have each other’s backs,” Lampman said. “Wakefield softball is so fun, and everybody is really excited this year.”
