For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 2 , 2017
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release

Minnesota State University, Mankato Selected as Preseason Favorite in NSIC Softball Coaches’ Poll
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NSIC Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were the unanimous pick in the 2017 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll. This marks the third time the Mavericks have been the preseason favorite in the NSIC and the first time a team has been a unanimous pick (coaches cannot vote for their own team).  The Mavericks amassed 225 points and 15 first place votes after going 45-17 last season, including a 23-6 mark in the NSIC while making an appearance in the NCAA Central Region Tournament.  Minnesota Duluth, another regional participant from last season, was second with 194 points and the other first place vote.  Winona State was third with 191 points while Augustana was fourth (187) and Sioux Falls was fifth (163).

The preseason coaches’ poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 15 to 1 with the top team receiving 15 points, second 14, third 13, etc.

The 2017 NSIC Softball season gets underway on February 3 while the 30-game NSIC schedule is set to begin on Tuesday, March 28.

The 2017 NSIC Softball Tournament will consist of the top ten teams in the NSIC final standings competing in a double elimination format on May 4-6 at Sherman Park and Bowden Field in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The University of Sioux Falls and Augustana University will serve as co-hosts for the championship.  
 

2017 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches Poll
Rk	Team	Points
1	Minnesota State (15)	225
2	Minnesota Duluth (1)	194
3	Winona State	191
4	Augustana	187
5	Sioux Falls	163
6	Wayne State	143
7	Upper Iowa	138
8	Bemidji State	131
9	Northern State	119
10	Southwest Minnesota State	104
11	St. Cloud State	94
12	Concordia-St. Paul	67
13	University of Mary	63
14	Minot State	47
15	MSU Moorhead	37
16	Minnesota Crookston	17
First place votes in ( )

#42 Maggie Kadrlik (C, 5-6, R/R, Jr., Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley HS)
Augustana Univeristy
- Named All-NSIC First Team as a sophomore in 2016
- Earned NFCA All-Central Region Second Team honors last season
- Named to D2CCA All-Central Region First Team in 2016
- Named All-America Honorable Mention by D2CCA in 2016
- Named to the 2016 NSIC All-Tournament Team
- Started all 54 games in 2016, including 45 at catcher
- Led the team with a .412 batting average
- Led the NSIC with 17 home runs and ranked second in the league with a team-high 62 RBI
- Finished the season with 10 doubles
- Had two or more hits in 21 games in 2016
- Enters the 2017 season with a career batting average of .385 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI



#1 Coley Ries (RHP, Sr., R/R, Eagle Lake, Minn. / Mankato East HS)
Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Holds the Minnesota State all-time strikeout lead with 1,005 career strikeouts
- Ranks fourth all-time in career wins at Minnesota State with 78
- Named to the D2CCA All-American Second Team and the NFCA All-American Third Team last season
- Recorded 24 strikeouts vs. Winona State last season, the fourth most in a game in Division II history
- Set a Minnesota State record with 434 strikeouts during the 2016 season
- Owns a career ERA of 1.84 and has held opposing batters to a .190 batting average
 
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
35-19, 21-8 NSIC	6 / 3	9	4th Overall
Team Preview
Augustana finished 35-19 in 2016, including 21-8 in NSIC play. The Vikings missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. Augustana head coach Gretta Melsted, in her 11th season, welcomes 13 players on the 2017 roster, including nine returners. The Vikings return three All-NSIC First Team selections from last season, including senior Sarah Kennedy, junior Maggie Kadrlik and sophomore Shannon Petersen. Kennedy is a three-time All-NSIC First Team selection for the Vikings who earned NFCA All-America First Team honors in 2015. Kennedy batted .403 with 14 doubles and nine home runs last season. Kadrlik was recently named to the Fastpitch News Preseason All-America First Team. Kadrlik batted .412 and led the NSIC with 17 home runs in 2016. She also hit 10 doubles and drove in a team-high 62 runs. Peterson had a strong freshman campaign for the Vikings in 2016 batting .345 with 14 home runs and eight doubles while driving in 45 runs.
Players to Watch
#42 Maggie Kadrlik, (C, 5-6, Jr., R/R, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. / Simley HS) #16 Olivia Wolters, (RHP, 5-10, Fr., R/R, Elk River, Minn. / Elk River HS)
First game(s)
Feb. 3-4 – Desert Stinger – Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
33-19, 14-11 NSIC	8 / 1	12	8th Overall
Team Preview
The Beavers return eight starters from a 2016 season that saw a program record 33 wins and first appearance in the NSIC Softball Tournament since 2008. 2016 All-NSIC Second Team pitcher Jessica Yost returns for her senior season. The Beavers welcome six newcomers to the 2017 squad.
Players to Watch
#5 Brooke Phillips (SS, 5-7, So., R/R, Iola, Wis. / Iola HS) #11 Jess Yost (RHP, 6-3, Sr., Bemidji, Minn. / Bemidji HS)
First game(s)
Monday, Feb. 27 vs. Minnesota Crookston – 3 p.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
12-36, 6-22 NSIC	9 / 3	13	14th  Overall
Team Preview
Head coach Bob Bartel enters his 13th season at the helm and he brings back 13 letter winners (nine starters) from last year’s young squad led by Nicole Thompson, Justine Schattner and Liz Jarosz who should anchor the lineup once again. All three players played in and started more than 43 games and hit above .309 for the season. Schattner led the team in hits, batting average, RBI and tied for first in home runs as a true freshman. Jarosz led the team in doubles and tied for first in home runs while placing second in RBI and total bases. CSP opens up the season at the Kelly Laas Memorial Invitational Tournament in St. Cloud on Feb. 10-11. Concordia begins NSIC play on Mar. 28 as they travel to Minnesota State for a doubleheader. Bartel and the Golden Bear softball program have appeared in five NCAA Tournaments since 2004, reaching the Sweet Sixteen four times, most recently in 2012 and one Elite Eight run (2005). Bartel carries a 352-292 overall career record and a 148-128 mark in NSIC play.
Players to Watch
#10 Liz Jarosz (1B, 5-9, Sr., Chippewa Falls, Wis. / Chippewa Falls HS) #17 Linzy Heim (P, 5-9, Sr., R/R, Plattsmouth, Neb. / Bellevue West HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 10 vs. Minnesota State 1:30 pm / vs. Augustana (SD) 3:30 pm (Kelly Laas Memorial Invitational) Saturday, Feb. 11 vs. Viterbo (Wis.) 5 pm / vs Sioux Falls 9 pm (Kelly Laas Memorial Invitational)

 

University of Mary Marauders

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning/Lost	2016 Standings
17-33, 11-18 NSIC	5 + 2 SP/ 4 + 1 SP	8 / 5	12th Overall
Team Preview
One game shy of grabbing the final spot in the 2016 NSIC tournament, the University of Mary returns five starters and two of their top pitchers on a squad featuring additional depth from over a year ago. Two-time all-conference selection Taylor Mendez is one of the top power bats in the NSIC, tying for the conference lead in home runs during conference play (11). The senior utility player blasted 15 home runs, hit .368 with a .706 slugging and .421 on-base percentage, drove in 37 runs and scored 40, all team highs. Sr. C Amber Gamboa, also a two-time All-NSIC player, joined Mendez on the all-conference 2nd team after earning 1st team recognition as a freshman. Gamboa hit .338 with two HRs and 22 RBIs. Jr. Colleen Crutchfield crushed nine HRs and 12 doubles last year with 30 RBIs. So. RHP Brieann Backes led Mary with a 4.53 ERA and two saves last year. She had six complete games among 15 starts.
Players to Watch
#22 Taylor Mendez (UTL, 5-8, Sr., R/R, Los Banos, Calif. / Los Banos HS) #11 Brieann Backes (P, 5-9, So., R/R, Minot, N.D. / Bishop Ryan HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 3 vs. Humboldt State at Desert Stinger Tournament (Las Vegas, Nev.)

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
11-39, 5-25 NSIC	7 / 5	14 / 8	16th Overall
Team Preview
The Golden Eagles had an improved season in 2016 with 11 wins, just one victory shy of tying their all-time wins mark of 12. They made sizeable strides as a program as they improved from four wins the previous year. They will look to continue to make improvements during the 2017 season. Minnesota Crookston is in their third season under Head Coach Don Stopa. The Golden Eagles return five starters last season in the field and two in the circle after posting a .278 batting average last season with 25 home runs, 162 RBI’s and 189 runs scored.
Players to Watch
#6 Gabriel Antolak (C, 6-0, Jr., R/R, Zimmerman, Minn./Zimmerman HS) #17 Bailey Braatz (RHP, 5-9, Sr., Buffalo, Minn. / Buffalo HS)
First game(s)
Saturday, Feb. 11 vs. Valley City State - 4 p.m. in Aberdeen, S.D.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
36-16, 21-7 NSIC	5 / 4	8	t-2nd Overall
Team Preview
UMD finished tied for second in the NSIC overall standings with the team's 21 conference wins marking the most in program history. The Bulldogs will return three of their top five hitters from last season in Natalie Wright, Hannah Schmoll, and Becky Smith; each of who started all 52 games. In her second year, head coach Jen Walter will lead a young Bulldog team that contains six incoming freshmen and only four upperclassmen. Senior pitcher Sam Hartmann, who led the team in wins (18) and strikeouts (115), is 17 wins away from tying former teammate Cayli Sadler's record for 51 career wins for UMD. After setting a Bulldogs record for 40 stolen bases in 2016, junior outfielder Hannah Schmoll is a mere 17 away from tying Michaela Goris' all-time record of 84 stolen bases.
Players to Watch
#3 Natalie Wright (2B, 5-2, Jr., L/R, Forest Lake, Minn. / Forest Lake HS) #21 Sam Hartmann (LHP, 5-6, Jr., Maple Plain, Minn. / Orono HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 17 vs. Nebraska-Kearney – 9 a.m.

 

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
45-17, 23-6 NSIC	7 / 4	9	1st Overall
Team Preview
The Minnesota State softball team will see nine letterwinners return from last season’s squad, including seven starters and six All-NSIC honorees. MSU, which won its fourth NSIC Championship last season with a 45-17 overall record and a 23-6 NSIC record, welcomes back senior Coley Ries, who was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Year last season, and sophomore McKenzie Paap who was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year. Ries finished her junior season with a 29-7 record and 434 strikeouts. Ries received All-American honors from both the NFCA and D2CCA for her efforts. Paap finished her freshman campaign batting .433 with 88 hits, 48 runs scored and 23 stolen bases and received All-Central Region First Team honors from the NFCA and D2CCA . MSU will also see the return of Dana Mongren, Ashley Thell, Libby Bemis and Jess Meidl, all of whom were named to the All-NSIC Second Team last season. As a team last season, the Mavericks batted .317 and led the conference in stolen bases (136), hits (537) and fielding% (.974). In the circle, the Mavericks led the conference in ERA (1.76), shutouts (20), hits (272), strikeouts (567) and opponent batting average (.179).
Players to Watch
#4 McKenzie Paap (OF, 5-4, So., L/R, Excelsior, Minn. / Minnetonka HS) #1 Coley Ries (P, 5-7, Sr., R/R, Eagle Lake, Minn. / Mankato East HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 10 vs. Concordia-St. Paul – 1:30 p.m.

 

Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
16-30, 9-21 NSIC	6 (+ DH) / 3	11	13th Overall
Team Preview
MSUM returns six starters plus a designated hitter from last year’s team that narrowly missed the NSIC tournament. The top returning hitter is Carly Williamson, a four-year starter in the outfield who led the team in triples and runs scored. Also returning as a four-year starter is 1B Lauren Meeker, who led the team with 10 doubles a year ago. Sophomore shortstop Taylor Roddie and second baseman Jill Fox, who shared 2B duties with the graduated Kristen Nordby, provide the Dragons with solid defense up the middle.
Players to Watch
#2 Carly Williamson (OF, 5-2, Sr., Council Bluffs, Iowa / Thomas Jefferson HS) #11 Tori White (RHP, Fr., Yorba Linda, Calif, / El Dorado HS)
First game(s)
Feb. 18 vs. Black Hills State in Minot, ND as part of MSU Dome Tournament

 

Minot State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
17-30, 6-23 NSIC	7 / 3	11	15th Overall
Team Preview
Minot State finished in 15th overall going 6-23 in league play, but went 11-7 in nonconference play to finish 17-30 overall. The Beavers return the majority of their starting 9, including two of three pitchers and all but one infielder. Seniors Jordan Grant (CF) and Rachel Burdette (UTL) along with sophomore Ashley Hill (1B) and Isis Cabral (OF) – MISU’s top four hitters from last season – all return to give MISU some solid offensive numbers. Grant batted .368, scoring 26 runs and stealing 27 bases last season, while Burdette swatted a team-high eight home runs to go with her .325 average. Hill was second on the team with a .364 average and Cabral finished at .321. Senior Jenn Spencer went 6-13 with a 5.18 ERA in 133.2 innings pitched to lead the Beavers in the circle. Clarissa Ramirez won five games in 26 appearances. MISU begins the season at one of the biggest NCAA DII Tournaments in the country, traveling to Las Vegas for the Montana State – Billings Desert Stinger where the Beavers are 14-16 since its first season in 2011 and 12-8 over the past four trips.
Players to Watch
#5 Rachel Burdette (UTL, 5-5, Sr., R/R, Temecula, Calif. / Temecula Valley HS) #7 Jenn Spencer (P, 5-10, Sr., R/R, Winnipeg, Manitoba / Westwood Collegiate HS)
First game(s)
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 3-5 at Montana State – Billings Desert Stinger, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
25-32, 14-16 NSIC	6/ 4	14	9th Overall
Team Preview
In the 2016 season, Northern State finished 9th overall in the NSIC, advancing to the Conference Tournament where they defeated Winona State 5-3, but were eliminated by Minnesota Duluth 4-0. The Wolves return seven seniors and six starters, including; Missy Elkins, Jamie Fisher, Katie Dawson, Katelynn Dilts, Lauren Kunz and Rachel Albright. At the plate, NSU held a team batting average of .251 and recorded 173 RBIs, 19 HRs and 50 doubles as a team. Defensively, the Wolves tallied a fielding percentage of .962, while holding opponents to a batting average of .278. The Northern State pitching staff recorded six shutouts and 45 total strikeouts. Returning in her senior season, Missy Elkins is coming off a team-high 13 wins from the mound, while offensive threats, Rachel Albright, Katie Dawson and Jamie Fisher each return to the lineup after batting .250 in the previous season. Head coach Kristi Villar enters her seventh season with the Wolves, compiling an overall record of 131-162.
Players to Watch
#13 Rachel Albright (OF/P, Sr., R/R, Pasadena, Cali. / Pasadena HS) #2 Missy Elkins (RHP, Sr., North Mankato, Minn. / Mankato West HS)
First game(s)
Feb. 11th vs. Southwest Minnesota State at PC Dome, Aberdeen, S.D. – 4 p.m.

 

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
34-20, 17-11 NSIC	5/5	7	7th overall
Team Preview
University of Sioux Falls is coming off their most successful season at the NCAA Division II level, but they must replace five starters from last year’s squad. The Cougars return both starting pitchers Breanna Black and Kerrigan Hoshaw, who combined for a 33-20 record with a combined 3.25 earned run average. Hoshaw returns with the highest batting average after posting a .367 mark with 33 hits and 16 RBI. Brittany Hoffman, Megan Peterson, and Emily Hove each started in every game last season, combining for 75 hits and 26 RBI. Hoffman and Hove formed a formidable middle infield duo with nearly 200 assists and putouts, while Cougars posted a .958 team fielding mark. The 2017 Cougars roster features 10 freshmen who will all look to contribute to the team, who have improved their record each season under fourth-year head coach Kelsey Thompson.
Players to Watch
#2 Emily Hove (2B, 5-7, So., R/R Omaha, Neb. / Millard South HS) #32 Kerrigan Hoshaw (RHP, 5-8, So., Apple Valley, Minn. / Eastview HS)
First game(s)
Feb 3-5 at Desert Stinger – Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
19-33, 12-18 NSIC	5 / 3 (position players) 2/1 (pitchers)	12	t-10th Overall
Team Preview
The Mustangs finished 2016 in a tie for 10th place in the NSIC with a 19-33 overall record and a 12-18 conference mark. SMSU returns five starting position players as well as Abbie Decker, who started in half of the Mustangs’ 52 games last season. Returners include SMSU’s leading hitter from 2016, Sam Flack, who led the Mustangs in batting average (.315), runs scored (27), hits (47), slugging percentage (.477), and on-base percentage (.407) last season. Flack finished last season with five home runs and 13 total extra base hits. SMSU also returns its top pitcher from last year’s staff, Alex O’Connor, who finished the year 11-15 with a 2.81 earned run average in 184.2 innings.
Players to Watch
#9 Sam Flack (INF, 5-7, Jr., R/R, Minneota, Minn. / Minneota HS) #21 Alex O’Connor (RHP, 5-11, Sr., Bloomington, Minn. / Bloomington Jefferson HS)
First game(s)
Saturday, Feb. 11 vs. Northern State- 4 p.m. (Presentation College Dome Tournament)

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
26-29, 12-18 NSIC	6 / 4	10 /4	t-10th Overall
Team Preview
The Huskies finished tied for 10th overall in the NSIC last season and just missed out by a game from qualifying for the post-season tournament.  The program does return six starters from last year including the program’s top four hitters in seniors Rebecca Harps, Alyssa Coletto, Jessica Goerger and Abby Bunnell. Goerger led the team and ranked among the NSIC leaders in home runs (11), RBIs (37), walks (20), on-base percentage (.445) and slugging percentage (.633). Bunnell, who is SCSU’s Position Player to Watch this season, provides speed at the top of the lineup with her 29 stolen bases, 34 runs scored and 57 hits. Harps led the team in batting average (.351), doubles (12) and hits (59) while knocking in 27 runs. The program also returns one of the two primary pitchers from last year in senior Megan Hedstrom, the program’s Pitcher to Watch this season. She led the team in ERA (3.20) while winning nine games and throwing 124.2 innings. SCSU also welcomes in six newcomers plus a redshirt player that are all expected to contend immediately for playing time. The team will have the chance to get off to a fast start with the first 10 games of the season – covering the entire month of February – being at home including the Kelly Laas Memorial Invitational.
Players to Watch
#13 Abby Bunnell (OF, 5-7. Sr., Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove HS) #12 Megan Hedstrom (P, 5-7, Sr., Palatine, Ill. / Palatine HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 3 vs. Black Hills State, 3 p.m. / 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4 vs. Black Hills State, 10 a.m. / 12 p.m.

 

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
41-18, 21-7 NSIC	6 / 5	10 Hitters 2 Pitchers	T-2nd Overall
Team Preview
Upper Iowa shattered the school record for wins in a season with 41, surpassing the previous record of 28. The Peacocks reached the NCAA Central Region #1 Final last season, but fell to nationally ranked #7 Arkansas Tech, 1-0. UIU finished tied for second with a school-record 21 conference wins. The Peacocks qualified for the NCAA Central Region Tournament for the first time in program history after winning the NSIC Tournament, also a first. Senior Jacqueline Flood was a second team selection on the NFCA team after hitting .295 with eight home runs and 35 RBI to go along with an 18-10 pitching record with a 1.67 ERA, both of which are second best in school history, and nine shutouts. Senior Brooke Redmond garnered a selection on the D2CCA Second Team after being an All-NSIC First Team honoree behind a 22-6 season. Sophomore Sammy Garrett was named to the All-NSIC Second Team after leading the Peacocks with a .342 average and 53 hits, including eight doubles and five home runs, all career highs. Junior Riley Kruel was named the NSIC’s Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop after finishing the conference season with just one error in the field. Garrett and Kruel lead the way this season as returners at key positions. This year’s squad also includes Katie Sammons, Tara Walls, Sami Kay Shafranski, and Erin Drahozal. Courtney Clayberg returns to the circle after a 1-2 season a year ago.
Players to Watch
#1 Sammy Garrett (OF, 5-6, R-Jr., R/R, Ottumwa, Iowa / Ottumwa HS) #12 Courtney Clayberg (P, 5-3, So., R/R, Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny Centennial HS)
First game(s)
Feb. 17-19 at UAM 8-State NCAA Division II Softball Classic – (Bentonville, Ark.) – 6 games

 

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
27-26, 21-9 NSIC	5 / 4	7	5th Overall
Team Preview
Wayne State returns five starters from last year’s team that was 27-26 overall and placed fifth in the NSIC with a 21-9 league mark.  The ‘Cats need to replace All-American outfielder Lexie Loos and workhorse pitcher Cassy Miller, who worked 229 of Wayne State’s 348 innings in the circle last season.  WSC returns a trio of All-Conference performers led by senior first baseman Melanie Alyea, who hit .344 last season with a team-high 14 doubles.  Sophomore outfielder Emily Chandler was a First-Team All-NSIC selection last season after posting the third-best average ever by a Wildcat player, hitting .444 with 11 homers and a school record 53 RBI.  Also returning is sophomore designated player Abbie Hix, who hit .331 last season with five homers and 20 RBI while making 41 starts as a freshman.  Another key returner on offense is junior catcher Katelyn Wobken, who had eight homers and 43 RBI last season. WSC lost three of its four pitchers last year to graduation.  Indian Hills CC transfer Nataliah Hopkins and freshman Allison Niemeier join sophomore Riley Vanderveen, who was 1-3 last year in 29 innings to lead the Wildcats in the circle this season.
Players to Watch
#16 Emily Chandler (OF, 5-9, So., R/R, Simi Valley, Calif. / Simi Valley HS) #21 Nataliah Hopkins (RHP 5-8, Jr., Eddyville, Iowa / Indian Hills CC)
First game(s)
Friday, February 17 vs. East Central (Okla.) 11 a.m. at 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark. Friday, February 17 vs. Emporia State 3 p.m. at 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark.

 

Winona State University Warriors

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2016 Standings
35-17, 17-11 NSIC	6 / 3	10 Off	6th Overall
Team Preview
Winona State won 35 games last season and had a combined 1.87 ERA on their way to a sixth place finish. It was the 15th straight season the Warriors won 35 games in a single season. The Warriors pitching staff ranked third in the conference in ERA and allowed a conference low 94 earned runs. McKenna Larsen looks to take over as the number one pitcher this year after going 12-4 in 2016. WSU will have to replace Hannah Lythberg who started 27 games last year and pitched 169 innings. Offensively the Warriors hit .296 and averaged 5.7 runs per game. Returning in 2017 will be Paige Keegan, who hit .321 last year. Jamie Schleis and McKenna Larsen also hit .300 or better last year and return as well. A total of nine recruits join the 2017 squad, including two pitchers. With ten returners on the roster and only one senior, the Warriors could get a lot of production from underclassmen.
Players to Watch
#22 Paige Keegan (C, 5-2, Jr., L/R. Genoa, Ill. / Genoa-Kingston HS) #14 McKenna Larsen (LHP, 5-7, Jr., Oconto Falls, Wis. / Oconto Falls HS)
First game(s)
Tuesday, Feb. 14 vs Grandview College – Rochester, Minn.