The562’s coverage of St. Anthony athletics is sponsored by Jane & B.I. Mais, Class of 1948.
There’s a lot stacked against the St. Anthony softball program in 2025 for what will be a huge transition year for Saints’ coach Joseph Younger.
St. Anthony had eight girls transfer out this off-season while graduating four seniors, and to top it all off, they’ll be without their top returner who faced a season-ending injury. Despite all of the hurdles in front of them, Younger believes there are bigger wins to be had this year than just the ones that show up on the scoreboard.
“I just have to make sure these girls have fun. I have to make sure these seniors have a successful year, maybe not in wins and losses, but a successful year as a group,” Younger said. “These girls have to come together and fight on the field together and none of the rest will matter. We’re learning life lessons out there and it’s not just about the wins and losses.”
Starting pitcher Jane Quinn was primed for another bright season this year before facing an injury to her finger that happened on a play during her flag football season. Quinn attempted to battle through it during the season before getting it checked out when she was given the news of a ruptured tendon, which resulted in season-ending surgery.
“My first emotions were just shock because I didn’t think it was that bad,” Quinn said. “It was a sad way for my season to end, but a couple of days after it my mom talked me through it and said, ‘Look, you can still participate with this team in a huge way,’ and our other coach, Coach Val, also helped me through that a lot.”
Despite being unable to contribute on the field, Quinn has taken it upon herself to do whatever she can to contribute all season from inside the dugout. According to Younger, Quinn has still been present at every practice, practically becoming a part of his coaching staff as she looks to guide her younger teammates.
“Even though she’s not gonna be with us on the field, she’s one of our senior captains and has really stepped up and brought these girls together as a unit,” he said of Quinn. “She’s at every practice, she’s running drills, she’s helping coach the younger girls, and she’s really stepped up this season as a leader.”
“I wanna be someone who’s there for the girls and someone they can relate to and talk about anything that they need,” Quinn said. “I’m excited for the season and I hope we do really well. I have a lot of hope for these girls. I have a lot of confidence in them. I see a lot of energy and fight in them and I think we’re gonna show that really well on the field.”
Stepping inside of the circle for Quinn will be freshman Gabriella Bennett who will be a part of an inexperienced committee of pitchers throughout a young St. Anthony roster. Ive Burnham will also share time in the circle, meanwhile freshman Ariana Lara will also help out when needed.
Senior catcher Ty Claybrooke will have the experience to hold that group together, and Younger calls her the most improved player he’s ever coached.
“From her freshman year to her senior year, she’s the most improved player I may have ever coached,” Younger said of Claybrooke. “She works hard everyday and gives us everything she has.”
The Saints will have young talent in their infield, and Younger expects freshmen Ariana Lara and Anabelle Amaro to be big contributors. Lara will primarily be at shortstop for St. Anthony meanwhile Anabelle Amaro will step in at second.
“I’ll be looking for those two freshmen to really step up,” Younger said. “They’ve been taking a lot of balls at practice and I expect them to step in well.”
Junior Nata Leomiti will also be around in the infield and will provide a big bat at the plate, meanwhile Burnham will be a key outfielder when she’s not pitching. According to Younger, Burnham led her team in almost every stat last year as just a freshman.
Valerie Ramirez is a new assistant coach this year for the Saints and will be a huge key in the young team’s success. Younger has been happy with the hard work from those young players, and he says it’s been important to express his belief in them.
“We have to show that we believe in them and have them in a position that they can succeed in. I have iterated to these freshmen that they’re here because they can. They’ve really embraced that and are working hard.”
St. Anthony will open its league schedule against St. Paul on March 6.
