Female Area Athlete of the Week: Carsten hitting and pitching for Wolverines

WADENA — There is not much Montana Carsten can’t do on the softball field.

The Wadena-Deer Creek junior captain has been dynamite in the pitching circle and at the plate through the first seven games for the Wolverines.

Last week, Carsten recorded three wins in the circle for the Wolverines. She scored nine runs and drove in five runs in six games — all WDC wins.

“When we started practices this year, we kind of saw this new Montana that was ready to go the entire time,” WDC head coach Brooke Umland said. “She was named one of the team captains and she’s really taken on that role for us. She has a seriousness about her and she’s constantly lifting up her teammates. We expected big things from her and she hasn’t disappointed.”

Carsten earned the win in the circle in WDC’s 3-2 victory over Menahga to start the week Tuesday, April 9.

In two games Thursday, April 11, Carsten recorded five hits, scored six runs and drove in two runs as the Wolverines beat Pine River-Backus 14-1 and Staples-Motley 11-1.

“When I get in the box, I just try to hit the ball,” Carsten said. “I try my best to swing at strikes and just get on base as much as I can and score.”

Carsten earned the win in the circle against PRB. In a doubleheader sweep of the Pillager Huskies Friday, April 12, Carsten allowed two hits in a complete-game Game One shutout. Carsten also went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored for the Wolverines in a 12-0 win.

Carsten finished the week by allowing one earned run in a 10-6 win against Parkers Prairie Monday, April 15.

“I was just throwing strikes and just trying to be consistent,” Carsten said. “I know my defense will make plays behind me.”

Carsten holds a 1.03 ERA in the circle and a .637 batting average at the plate.

“Her confidence, whether it’s in the circle or in the box, she expects to do well,” Umland said. “She goes up there and she’s producing for us in all aspects of her game.”

Carsten slots in as the No. 2 hitter in W-DC’s batting order.

“She’s one of our leaders in RBIs because our leadoff hitter is doing a great job of getting on ahead of Montana,” Umland said. “She is doing a great job at the No. 2 spot.”

Hitting at the top of the lineup helps Carsten with her confidence.

“I know there are some big hitters behind me that I know can drive me and my teammates in,” Carsten said.

In the circle, Umland is impressed most by Carsten’s control. In five games, Carsten has walked two batters.

“Even when she is down in the count she can come back and strikout out a batter,” Umland said. “When she’s throwing well, she is pretty much unstoppable with the defense behind her. She trusts them and they trust her.”

Carsten added she tries to aim for the catcher’s glove when pitching — nothing fancy.

“I’ll start with a couple of fastballs and then try to throw either a drop ball or change-up,” Carsten said. “The fastball is probably my best pitch. I feel like I’ve improved on being really consistent and not walking many girls. I just try to get them to hit, so we can get the outs.”

Having Carsten in the circle gives Umland all the confidence in the world as a coach, too.

“When someone commands the strike zone like she is right now you have to go with her,” Umland said. “When you have someone throwing like that our confidence gains more and more every game. She is definitely a tone-setter for us.”

Other notable performances:
Softball: Keira Bertram, Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale, went 6-9 with two doubles.
Kendra Melby, Pierz, 6-8 with three doubles and seven RBIs in two games last week.
Abby Palm, Aitkin, went 6-7 with five RBIs.
Jada Dykhoff, Wadena-Deer Creek, blasted a grand slam against Pillager.
Golf: Genevieve Birkeland, Pequot Lakes, was the medalist for the Granite Ridge Conference meet at Stone Creek Golf Course.

Year: Junior
School: Wadena-Deer Creek
Sport: Softball
Position: Pitcher
Highlights: Montana Carsten recorded eight hits, nine runs and five RBIs across six games. She picked up four wins in the circle.