Seniors leave their own legacy in Creston softball

FORT DODGE — Natalie Mostek remembers the feeling of coming up short of a state tournament chance in 2012, a 2-1 loss to eventual state champion Indianola.

It was one of the best Creston softball teams ever assembled, as pitcher Madison Frain was finishing her final season before starting her career at the University of South Dakota. She and senior shortstop Katlin Briley were all-staters, and senior Maddie Haines was an all-conference second baseman. Haylee LaMasters and Taylor Briley earned all-conference recognition as a freshman and eighth-grader, respectively.

Creston was 29-8 that year, 17-1 as Hawkeye 10 champion, and it was a team many thought could make a run for a state title. But, just like so many occasions in Winterset, the regional final was against another highly-ranked team on its home field.

“I remember it very well, because I was the last out of a 2-1 game,” said Mostek, then a freshman catcher.

Coach Mike McCabe said 2015 seniors Brenna Baker, LaMasters and Mostek had a tough job in following in the footsteps of those standouts early this decade, and found a way to blaze their own trail that ended at Harlan Rogers Sports Complex in Fort Dodge.

The mecca of Iowa high school softball.

“Those three, you have a good class like Madison, Katlin and Maddie and those kids, and then now it was their turn,” coach Mike McCabe said. “They kind of had to bear that burden of following that group, and they did a great job.

“That first year, we didn’t win the conference (fourth at 11-7, 19-17 overall), but then the last two years we’ve won it, and to do what they did this year is pretty special,” McCabe added. “Brenna, I’m so happy for her, to come off the big (junior year) knee surgery. She was limited last year, then had a great season this year. She played so well for us defensively.

“Nat was a great leader for us this year and took over that leadership role,” McCabe added. “She’s going to be so good in college. I’m so happy she gets to play at the next level (DMACC) with some great coaching.

“And Haylee, her name is on a lot of career marks for us,” he continued. “She’s had a great offensive career, and I’m maybe most proud of the pitching. She had a good three years for us in the circle. She has some things on her mantle — two wins up here, the all-tournament team. I’m proud of all of them, happy for them.”

LaMasters said succeeding Frain was a growing process. The first step was convincing fans, and herself, that she wasn’t going to be Madison Frain.

“Natalie had a year with Madison to catch and get used to the varsity level, so she was very helpful,” LaMasters said. “My biggest thing was just not being compared to Madison, because of how good Madison was. I just got in the gym more and put the time in to improve. I definitely got better over the years, especially hitting my spots on the outside pitch.”

LaMasters mixed her fastball, changeup and a rise ball that proved to be an effective strikeout or popup pitch. It was how she worked out of a bases-loaded jam in beating state runner-up Winterset 3-2 in the regular season finale.

But Winterset struck for 11 hits and 10 runs (four earned) in Thursday’s 10-0 semifinal win over the Panthers.

“That was probably just a matter of maybe not quite hitting spots, and them just doing a good job of hitting that day,” McCabe said. “We tried to move it around, but they did a good job of hitting. Today, her changeup was good. And, it’s a little easier to pitch when you have some support on the scoreboard.”

“Today I was more relaxed,” LaMasters said after the shutout win over Pella. She and teammate Josie Sickels were selected on the all-tournament team.

“It feels pretty good,” LaMasters said. “It’s like, everything I’ve worked for is just paying off. It means a lot to me. It was a good way to finish.”

LaMasters will play at Southwestern Community College next year, probably in the lineup as a first baseman or outfielder, and part of the pitching staff.

Mostek, meanwhile, is headed to regional champion DMACC and could make a position change in college.

“I’ve seen my coaches here his week and a lot of players,” Mostek said. “Two are on the Valley team, one is a state champ at AGWSR, another is on Lynnville-Sully. I’m very excited about it.”

Finishing at state, after so many regional disappointments, was also rewarding for the veteran Panther catcher. Creston upset top-ranked ADM to win the regional title.

“This was a great week,” Mostek said. “The softball, hanging out with our teammates. I wouldn’t want it any other way, than to be up here playing softball with this team.”

Baker, meanwhile, will attend SWCC as a member of The Dazzlers dance team. After overcoming a knee injury and surgery from junior year basketball, finishing her athletic career on a state softball diamond was a dream come true.

“Oh yeah, it was a goal probably from about fourth grade softball,” Baker said. “I’m glad I was able to play this summer. It was so much fun. A lot of good team bonding, you get to know your team really well. It’s fun hanging out in the dorms with all of the activities. I hope they make it up here again!”