BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — Hoisington's softball team owns a pair of 3A state tournament while earning six consecutive regional championship appearances.
In last year's 4A regional, Hoisington (18-8, 11-5 CKL) downed Ulysses 8-5 and lost to Circle 16-1 for a state berth. The Cardinals qualified for 3A state softball in 2021 and 2022 and lost to Southeast of Saline in 2023 and 2024 in the regional title game.
The Cardinals top of the batting lineup is loaded with a trio of starters — 3B Marly Brewer, (.419, 36 H, 4 HR, 26 RBI); P/SS Brynn Tarlton, (.357, 30 H, 21 R); and C Reece Aylward (.383, 13 R, 13 RBI).
Hoisington softball coach Tim Boxberger expects the Cardinals to continue their tradition of competing favorably in the Central Kansas League.
"We've got our top two hitters returning with Marly Brewer and Brynn Tarlton," Boxberger said. "Reese Aylward and Kelsi Maier will be key contributors. We've got a talented sophomore class, and we'll be good offensively."
Pitcher Tarlton (7-2, 4.11 ERA; 52 K-49 IP) will be backed by sophomores Aubree Martin and Aylward.
"Brynn throws fastball, rise-ball, change-up, curve and drop,' Boxberger said. "Aubree throws fastball, change-up and rise-ball."
Other key contributors will be Kelsi Maier and Rylee Vaughn, an ultimate team player.
Haven, Pratt, Halstead and Hesston feature quality pitchers and headline the Central Kansas League.
"We play our best when we play the top teams. We swept Halstead when we played our best," Boxberger said. "We focus pretty well when we're playing the best teams."
The Cardinals are a co-op softball program with Central Plains and Hoisington.
CARDINAL ROSTER
SENIORS— 1—Sierra Marsell; 2—2B Rylee Vaughn; 23—1B Kelsi Maier (.196)
JUNIORS—3—Karissa Benavidez; 4—3B Marly Brewer, (.419, 36 H,4 HR, 26 RBI); 13—P/SS/C Brynn Tarlton, (7-2, 4.11 ERA; 52 K-49 IP; .357, 30 H, 21 R); 17—Jaidyn Stevenson; 31—Jaylin Kolas; 35—Dylan Stone
SOPHOMORES—9—Mary Griffin; 10—Macie Strong; 12—Brennley Reif (.667); 15—2B/DH Reece Aylward (.383, 13 R, 13 RBI); 16—P Aubree Martin (.500); 22—C Reese Vaughn (.667); 29—Kennedy Dalton
NINTH-GRADERS—6—Myah Frederking 7—Rilynn Crawford; 8—C Avery Riese; 20—Aeleha Bartonek; 28—Kambree Powell; Zoey Bogner
CARDINAL SCHEDULE—3-24—at Russell; 3-27—Ellinwood; 3-30—*at Nickerson; 4-3— at Hays Thomas More Prep; 4-7—*Larned; 4-10—*at Pratt; 4-16—*Hesston; 4-21—*at Haven; 4-24—*Hillsboro; 5-1—*at Halstead; 5-7—*Smoky Valley; 5-13-15—at 4A regional
Cardinals' Bittel leads track team
HOISINGTON — Hoisington's Marley Bittel placed runner-up in the 100 meters (12.25) and the 200 (25.3) at the 3A state meet behind Hesston's Ashley Lehman. Bittel broke Stacey Dame's school records in both events.
Bittel anchored the 400-meter relay to seventh place (51.05) and second in the CKL with Reese Merlau, Kinley Wilkens and Addison Hanzlick. She placed 10th in the 400 meters (1:01.04).
"It was nice to see Marley earn with medals in three events and set two school records," said Hoisington coach Dan Schmidt. "Our girls 400-meter relay graduated three legs from 2024's state runner-up, and finds a way to bring home a state medal. It's rewarding to see nine athletes earn 12 state track medals. It was gratifying to qualify athletes to the state meet when that looked impossible at the start of the year."
Pole vaulter Taylen Morales (13-6) placed seventh and CKL runner-up Joseph Hekele (13-0) improved four feet while placing 10th in 3A. CKL discus champion and shot put runner-up Layton Hoffman placed fifth in the discus (158-4) and 10th in the shot put (52-03/4).
Courtney Bryant, Jr. was CKL runner-up in the 100 meters (11.14).
Schmidt sees the Cardinals making an impact with quality field events athletes.
"I'm positive for what 2026 will bring," Schmidt said. "We have great throwers returning in javelin, shot put and discus on the girls and the boys teams. They'll be fun to watch in the jumps. Our boys hurdlers will be strong. We'll have new faces on the team who could make a big impact."
3A STATE HOISINGTON—2ND—Marley Bittel, 100, 12.32; 2ND—Bittel, 200, 25.3; 10TH—Bittel, 400m, 1:01.04; 5TH— Layton Hoffman, discus, 158-4; 10TH—Hoffman, shot put, 52-03/4; 7TH—Morales, pole vault, 13-6; 10TH—Joseph Hekele, pole vault, 13-0; 7TH—Hoisington, 400m relay, 51.05 (Reese Merlau, Kinley Wilkens, Addison Hanzlick, Bittel); 14TH—Wilkens, shot put, 33-11/4; 9TH—400m relay, 44.97 (Courtney Bryant)
CARDINAL ROSTER
SENIORS—Tianna Lutters; Joselyn Moshier; Carrson BroKar; Courtney Bryant, Jr.; Layton Hoffman; Carson Mason; Taylen Morales
JUNIORS—Marley Bittel; Tristin Compton; Annabelle Gonzalez; Mayci Gruis; Addison Hanzlick; Miette Kaiser; Monroe Walker; Kinley Wilkens; Kolter Hahn; Joseph Hekele; Gunnar Hudson; Karson Kinman; Preston Merlau; Brody Pfannenstiel; Christian Redetzke; Brody Rossman; Ruger Sneath
SOPHOMORES—Ayla Brown; Laeya Beck; Madison Henning; Harrison Henning; Jaxson Henry; Kyler Johnson; Cooper Moore;
NINTH-GRADERS—Keslynn Adee; Jolee Forester; Kennedy Mason; Brynlee Schremmer; Mila Simic; Jonathan Gonzalez; Drake Gruis; Andrew Kaiser; Dexter Klug; Aden Rexwinkle; Alder Wilkens
HOISINGTON SCHEDULE—4-2—at Russell; 4-10—at Nickerson; 4-14—at Ellsworth; 4-17—at Lindsborg; 4-21—at Scott City; 4-28—Hoisington Kimble Invitational; 5-1—at Beloit; 5-8—at Gypsum; 5-14—Central Kansas at Hillsboro; 5-21/22—at 3A regional; 5-39-30—at 3A state, Wichita
Cardinals feature four state qualifiers
HOISINGTON – Hoisington boys tennis coach Jordan Mooney features four returning 3-1A state qualifiers. Hoisington (14 points) placed eighth in 3-1A tennis.
No. 1 singles Jasper Pawlowski (24-8) finished eighth in 3A after losing 8-2 to Levi Mies of Conway Springs. At regionals, Jasper Pawlowski defeated Meade’s Samuel Lynn 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) for first place.
"I expect Jasper to have a great season and repeat his success from last year," said coach Mooney.
Smoky Valley’s Jack Bieker/Pierce Keller defeated Hoisington’s Gabriel Pawlowski/Leyton Mooney 8-6 for 11th place. Pawlowski/ Mooney (14-12) finished with a 4-2 state record.
Gabriel Pawlowski/Mooney defeated teammates Kian DeLong/Alexander Mooney 6-1, 6-3 for fifth place at regionals. State qualifiers Kian DeLong (13-9) and 12th-place singles qualifier Brody Rossman (25-5) chose to not compete in 2026.
Gabriel Pawlowski will play No. 2 singles. Leyton Mooney will team with Xander Mooney at No. 1 doubles.
"Gabriel wanted to try singles, so we're starting the season by giving him a shot," said coach Mooney. "Leyton wanted to play with his brother. They have potential to be a successful doubles team."
No. 2 doubles will be Parker Turner/Knoxly Nettleingham.
"Knoxly and Parker are new to varsity competition, but I expect them to be competitive," coach Mooney said. "They'll surprise people with their level of play."
Joey Valentino and Jesse Thoren round out the 8-player roster.
"Joey and Jesse are solid tennis players, hungry for a varsity spot," he said. "The lineup may shift as the season goes on. I expect success from these guys."
Coach Mooney expects similar success to last season.
"Every player has put in work over the off-season, so we should see great team success," coach Mooney said. "We qualified six players for state. We placed third at the Central Kansas League meet, and I expect to replicate that success."
CARDINAL ROSTER
JUNIORS—Leyton Mooney (D 12TH, 14-12), Knoxly Nettleingham; Jesse Thoren
SOPHOMORES—Jasper Pawlowski (S 8TH, 24-8), Gabriel Pawlowski (D 12TH, 14-12), Xander Mooney (D SQ 13-9), Parker Turner, Joey Valentino
CARDINAL SCHEDULE—3-30—at Phillipsburg; 4-2—at Ellsworth; 4-9—at Hillsboro; 4-11—at Great Bend; 4-23—Hoisington quad; 4-30—Hoisington tournament; 5-4— at Central Kansas League; 5-8/9—at 3-1A regional
Cardinals' Ingram will lead baseball
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — Hoisington's standout catcher Marcus Ingram (.392, OPS .989, 29 hits, 16 RBI) will lead a young and promising baseball team as the Cardinals' lone senior.
"Marcus will lead the team from behind home plate," said Hoisington baseball coach Eric Steiner. "He'll help in the development of a young pitching staff. "We're excited about our young team's potential. This will be a rebuilding year for the Cardinals."
The Cardinals (16-7, 10-6 CKL) lost to Clay Center 10-2 at 4A baseball regionals after being tied 2-2. Hoisington rode an 8-game winning streak into 4A regionals last year.
Top returning players include juniors Thomas Higgins, Brody Corbett, Brodie Crites (.368, 25 H, 24 R); Gavin Jackson and sophomores Reece Galla (4.88 ERA, 14 IP), Kaydin Umphrey (.255, 14 H; 2-2, 4.00 ERA, 21 IP), Bentley Corbett, Brock Yeakley, Cameron Grubb and Scott Marsell.
Newcomers projected to contribute are juniors Corbyn Holinde, Ryker Stout, sophomores Drake Martin and Jimmie Soeken freshman Leyton Hoffman.
Kadin Umphrey and Reese Galla will anchor an inexperienced pitching staff that will go through a learning curve.
"We expect our pitchers to throw strikes and let our defense work. Our pitching will be done by committee," Steiner said. "We have a few pitchers with experience. We'll have pitchers that will take time to develop and see what we have. Our goal is to play solid defense behind our pitchers."
The offensive goal is to put the baseball into play on a consistent basis.
"Offensively, we'll play more 'small ball,' than we have in the past to find ways to score runs," he said. "The guys have been working hard and getting better each day."
Steiner expects the Cardinals to be competitive in a rugged Central Kansas League.
"We want to be competitive in our games and finish in the middle of the pack," he said. "The CKL is a tough league that gets us prepared for postseason. Our goal is play our best baseball in mid-May and make a postseason run."
HOISINGTON ROSTER
SENIOR—10—Marcus Ingram (.392, 29 H, 16 RBI, 11 HBP)
JUNIORS—9—Brodie Crites (.368, 25 H, 24 R); 15—Brody Corbett (.125); 18—Thomas Higgins; 22—Gavin Jackson; Corbyn Holinde; Ryker Stout
SOPHOMORES—3—Reese Galla (14 IP, 4.88 ERA); 6—Cameron Grubb; 20—Bentley Corbett (.231); 23—Kadin Umphrey (.255, 14 H; 2-2, 4.00 ERA, 21 IP), Brock Yeakley, Cameron Grubb, Scott Marsell; Drake Martin, Jimmie Soeken
NINTH-GRADERS—Leyton Hoffman, Branson Barnard, Cole Elmore, Easton Elmore, Liam Stone
HOISINGTON SCHEDULE—3-24—at Russell; 3-27—Ellinwood; 3-31—at Nickerson; 4-7—Larned; 4-10—at Pratt; 4-17—Hesston; 4-21—at Haven; 4-24—Hillsboro; 4-28—at Hays TMP; 5-1—at Halstead; 5-7—Smoky Valley; 5-18-21—at 4A regiona; 5-28-29—at 4A state
Cardinals feature two state qualifiers
HOISINGTON — In 45 seasons, Hoisington golf coach Bruce Cooper has seen about everything. Hoisington's 2025 state qualifier ranks near the top.
Hoisington’s golf team (358) qualified for state by one stroke last year at Kingman's regional. The Cardinals (366) placed 10th at the 3A state tournament at Garden City’s Buffalo Dunes Golf Course.
“I didn't think we'd qualify in a million years. In 45 seasons of coaching, 2025 was one of my favorite teams," Cooper said.
Hoisington's best player Logan Cossel returns after placing 24th (162, 82/82) at the 3A state meet and fifth (86) at regionals. Returnee Kobe Crawford (98) placed 82nd at state and 26th at regionals (99).
"Our goal is to qualify for state again, and make it to day 2," he said. "Our senior Mason Martin has good potential and we've got four promising freshmen."
Last year, the third-place Central Kansas League finisher won the Ellsworth Tournament and placed runner-up four times.
CARDINAL ROSTER
SENIOR—Mason Martin
JUNIORS—Josh Apodaca, Kaidenn Chambers, Logan Cossel (STATE; REG 5TH, 86), Kobe Crawford (STATE; REG 26TH, 99)
SOPHOMORES—Mikkel Brunson, Leighton Eubank, Taylor Kempke; Peyton Lomas
NINTH-GRADERS—Keaton Cass, Rennick Dalton, Bryson Kinman, Aiden Wohlford
CARDINAL SCHEDULE—4-2—Lake Barton; 4-6—at Hutchinson, Crazy Horse GC; 4-14—at Stafford CC; 4-21—at Larned; 4-30—at Russell; 5-7—at Ellsworth; 5-11—Central Kansas at Hutchinson, Crazy Horse; 5-14—at Kinsley; 5-18—at 3A regional; 5-26/27—at 3A state, Topeka Lake Shawnee
