A very young Shelby team had a solid 2025 season, posting a 19-13 overall record and coming very close to knocking off eventual district champion Hart in the postseason. Now, the Tigers hope to improve on it.
It will help that most of the team - including the entire starting lineup from last season’s final game - is back. Sophomore Jayna Burmeister, who had an excellent freshman season at pitcher, is back for more. Fellow team leaders Jordan Wolting, Emma Stovall, Jaedyn Allen and Stella Springer are back as well. Stovall, the team’s leadoff hitter in 2025, plays catcher, with Wolting at shortstop, Allen at second base and Springer in center field.
“The girls continue gaining confidence and are starting to push themselves and teammates to reach the same goals,” said Shelby coach Kevin Burmeister, also Jayna’s dad.
Hali Hayes, Izzy Rudat, Brynlee Myers and Gaby LeFevet are other returning starters that will contribute. Hayes plays third base, Rudat first, with Myers in the outfield. LaFevet was the DH in the Tigers’ opening wins over Benzie Central.
With so much veteran experience on the team, there’s not much room for younger players to emerge, but coach Burmeister said they’re on board to contribute wherever they can.
“We are pushing the underclassmen to continue to chase our goals,” Burmeister said.
The Tigers hope to be part of the WMC Rivers race behind powerhouse programs Holton and Ravenna, as well as gaining vengeance against Hart after last season’s district defeat. Non-league matchups against Kent City, White Cloud, Montague, Whitehall, Mona Shores and others will prepare the Tigers for a playoff run.
“The Rivers division will be a tight race with a frontrunner that everyone is chasing,” Burmeister said of Holton. “Our goal as a team is to compete in every game for seven innings.”
