
Steam Announces First Player Signings of 2025
Five Returnees Start the Player Announcements
LA CROSSE, WI – The La Crosse Steam is finishing January off right with a plethora of returnee player signings for the upcoming 2025 season. These five players were an integral part of the inaugural season in 2024, and their experience will be more than helpful in 2025.
The Steam will be in good hands with the Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year, Mackenzie Willis (Belmont University), making her way back to La Crosse in 2025. The Gardnerville, Nev. native pitched in 28 games during the 2024 season, leading the Northwoods League with a record of 129 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.06.
Avary Makarewicz (UT Martin), a member of the Northwoods League Post Season All Star Team, will also be back for another season in 2025 as an experienced catcher. The Ripon, Wisc. native led the Steam in 2024, hitting .362, landing 4 home runs, and collecting 24 RBIs after playing in 38 games.
Rachel Mori (UNC Pembroke), pitcher for the Steam in 2024, will be back for another summer of fun in 2025. The Fallon, Nev. native ended the 2024 summer season batting .341 (2nd for the Steam leaders and top 15 in the Northwoods League). Mori batted in 34 games for the Steam last season and pitched in 12.
Calli Janik (Mount Mercy University), catcher for the Steam in 2024, will also be back this summer. Janik ended the summer season with a fielding percentage of .972 over the course of a team record 42 games. The Waucounda, Ill. native landed 3 home runs and was 2nd in the League for home consecutive game hitting streaks (9 games).
Grace Frechette (St. Cloud State University), Infielder for the Steam in 2024, will be spending another summer at Copeland as well. Frechette ranked in the Top 5 for the Steam, batting .286 over the course of 37 games. The Forest Lake, Minn. native had a fielding percentage of .934 during the 2024 season and was a consistent at bat leader (112 ABs).
Don’t miss a moment! Season Tickets and Flex Plans are on sale now for La Crosse Steam Softball games with information available at www.lacrossesteam.com or by calling the ticket office at 608-796-9553. Fans can also visit the office at 1225 Caledonia Street, La Crosse between 8:30 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
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Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) will be the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.