For Immediate Release
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
Winona State Picked First in NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Winona State University was the pick in the 2019 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll. This marks the fourth time in the past five seasons that the Warriors have been selected by the coaches to win the league. The Warriors amassed 222 points and 12 first place votes after going 45-7 last season, including a 20-2 mark in the NSIC while making an appearance in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The Warriors took home NSIC Regular Season and NSIC Tournament titles last year. Augustana, another regional participant from last season, was second with 214 points and four first place votes. Minnesota State was third in the poll with 180 points while UMD was fourth with 179.
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 2019 NSIC Softball season gets underway on February 1 while the 30-game NSIC schedule is set to begin on Tuesday, March 26.
The 2019 NSIC Softball Tournament will consist of the top ten teams in the NSIC final standings competing in a double elimination format on May 2-4 at the RYFSA Complex in Rochester, Minnesota.
NSIC Players to Watch - 2019
Preseason Players of the Year in Italics (More info at link above)
| School |
# |
Players |
Pos |
HT |
YR |
B/T |
Hometown |
High School |
| AUGIE |
42 |
Maggie Kadrlik |
C/UT |
5’6 |
SR |
R/R |
Inver Grove Heights, Minn. |
Simley |
| BSU |
9 |
Makayla Pagel |
OF |
5’10 |
SR |
R/R |
Kronenwetter, Wis. |
D.C. Everest |
| CSP |
20 |
Carlie Hart |
CF |
5’7 |
SR |
R/R |
Lake Elmo, Minn. |
Stillwater |
| UM |
1 |
Paige Matsuki |
SS |
5’5 |
SR |
R/R |
Waimanalo, Hawaii |
James B. Castle |
| UMC |
3 |
Rocky Bjorge |
1B/3B |
5’7 |
SR |
R/R |
Prior Lake, Minn. |
Prior Lake |
| UMD |
22 |
Lauren Oberle |
SS |
5’8 |
JR |
R/R |
Eden Prairie, Minn. |
Eden Prairie |
| MSU |
2 |
Carly Esselman |
OF |
5’5 |
JR |
L /L |
Farmington, Minn. |
Farmington |
| MSUM |
7 |
Sam Gjerde |
OF |
5’4 |
FR |
R/R |
Sunburg, Minn. |
Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg? |
| MISU |
11 |
Julia Suchan |
2B |
5’6 |
JR |
R/R |
Calgary, Alberta |
Bishop Grandin |
| NSU |
7 |
Courtney Sjerven |
2B |
5’5 |
SR |
R/R |
Sidney, B.C. |
Lambrick Park Secondary |
| USF |
13 |
Sydney Nieveen |
1B/P |
5’10 |
JR |
R/R |
Hallam, Neb. |
Lincoln North Star |
| SMSU |
7 |
Abbie Decker |
CF |
5’6 |
SR |
R/R |
Dyersville, Iowa |
Beckman Catholic |
| SCSU |
7 |
Morgan Emmans |
C |
5’10 |
SR |
R/R |
Blaine, Minn. |
Mounds Park Academy |
| UIU |
2 |
Jordyn Brennan |
INF |
5’4 |
JR |
L/R |
Hortonville, Wis. |
Hortonville |
| WSC |
16 |
Emily Chandler |
1B |
5’9 |
SR |
R/R |
Simi Valley, Calif. |
Simi Valley |
| WSU |
17 |
Lani Van Zyl |
SS |
5’5 |
SR |
R/R |
Fort Dodge, Iowa |
Fort Dodge |
| School |
# |
Pitchers |
Pos |
HT |
YR |
Hometown |
High School |
| AUGIE |
26 |
Ashley Mickschl |
RHP |
5’7 |
SO |
Woodbury, Minn. |
Woodbury |
| BSU |
3 |
Rochelle Koshalek |
RHP |
5’7 |
SR |
Mosinee, Wis. |
Mosinee |
| CSP |
23 |
Kali Kaestner |
RHP |
5’4 |
JR |
Mukwonago, Wis. |
Mukwonago |
| UM |
11 |
Brieann Backes |
RHP |
5’9 |
SR |
Minot, N.D. |
Bishop Ryan Catholic |
| UMC |
11 |
Paige Pitlick |
RHP |
5’7 |
JR |
Jordan, Minn. |
Jordan |
| UMD |
26 |
Breanna Swint |
RHP |
5’9 |
JR |
Marysville, Calif. |
Lindhurst |
| MSU |
17 |
Mackenzie Ward |
RHP |
5’10 |
SO |
Indianola, Iowa |
WDM Valley |
| MSUM |
18 |
Becky Berth |
RHP |
5’8 |
SO |
Oconto, Wis. |
Oconto |
| MISU |
24 |
Zoya Robbins |
RHP |
5’11 |
FR |
Aurora, Colo. |
Thomas Jefferson |
| NSU |
3 |
Jamie Fisher |
LHP |
5’9 |
SR |
Omaha, Neb. |
Millard North |
| USF |
32 |
Kerrigan Hoshaw |
RHP |
5’10 |
SR |
Apple Valley, Minn. |
Eastview |
| SMSU |
11 |
Athena Golling |
RHP |
5’8 |
SR |
Antioch, Calif. |
Berean Christian |
| SCSU |
22 |
Kate Kopeck |
RHP |
5’7 |
SR |
Lunsden, Sask. |
Lunsden |
| UIU |
22 |
Sydney Wilcox |
RHP |
5’8 |
SO |
Shiocton, Wis. |
Shiocton |
| WSC |
15 |
Maddie Moser |
RHP |
5’9 |
SO |
Central City, Neb. |
Central City |
| WSU |
3 |
Jordyn Kleman |
RHP |
5’6 |
JR |
La Crosse, Wis. |
Logan |
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