Dolezal steps down as Grant's softball coach

Mike Dolezal's Grant softball teams won a lot more than they lost.

That wasn't the case this season, but a 9-22 record didn't influence Dolezal's decision to step down.

"It wasn't because of the year or anything like that," Dolezal said. "I was going to do it last year, but I didn't want to leave after those two good years where we won 44 games. I wanted to see what this (2015) team could do. At the end of the this year, I thought to myself, 'I'm ready.' "

Dolezal's staff was together for 10 years. The Bulldogs enjoyed six 20-win seasons and played in six regional finals. They won the North Suburban Conference championship in 2013.

"We had a nice run," Dolezal said. "We lost four times in extra innings in regional finals to real good teams."

Dolezal said he might stay on as an assistant coach and added that JV coach Chris VanAlstine will take over for him. Varsity assistant coach Dan Benes decided to step down to spend more time with his young family.

"I don't have that excuse," Dolezal joked. "My kids are old."

Dolezal's team had some kids that played well this season. Freshman Erin Bengston, who played catcher and third base, hit better than .400. Dolezal saw growth in junior pitcher Hannah McCall, while junior shortstop Kenzi Sancken, who's a Northern Iowa commit, put together an all-area/all-conference season. Sophomore third baseman Beka Wold was named honorable mention all-NSC.

"I think we're going to be pretty good next year," Dolezal said. "We really started playing well at the end (of this season). We had some young kids."