Saints Predicted to Win UMAC Softball Trophy in 2014
Preseason Interview with Jayna Loy, Northland College
2014 UMAC Softball Coaches’ Poll
1. 47 Points – College of St. Scholastica (5 First Place Votes)
2. 43 Points - Bethany Lutheran College (2)
3. 39 Points – University of Minnesota Morris (1)
4. 28 Points – University of Northwestern (Minn.)
5. 24 Points – Martin Luther College
6. 21 Points – Northland College
7. 12 Points – North Central University (Minn.)
8. 10 Points – Crown College
ST. PAUL – The College of St. Scholastica, winner of 14 of the last 15 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) regular season softball titles is again predicted to win the conference trophy in 2014, according to a poll of the league’s coaches.
1. College of St. Scholastica Saints
2013 Overall Record: 24-14
2013 UMAC Record: 17-4
2013 UMAC Finish: 1st
Starters Returning: 7
Starters Lost: 2
The St. Scholastica softball team had many challenges last spring due to the weather. The Saints did not play a single game on its own Kenwood Field, thanks to snow cover into early May. The lone games played in Duluth, were played on campus, but on the artificial turf of Saints Field. CSS went on to win its fifth straight UMAC regular season championship, but were two-and-out in the UMAC Tournament that was moved from CSS to Minnesota Morris.
The Saints, who were 24-14 last season, lost the battery of pitcher Darcy Roach and catcher Bonnie Kowalczyk to graduation, but the rest of the team remains intact. After being named the UMAC Rookie of the Year, Rendi Johnson returns as one of three pitchers of the staff. Johnson will also see time at first and third base this year. Back joining Johnson on the pitching staff is Micah McGuiness, who will also see time in the outfield. The third pitcher will be newcomer Chrisi Mizera out of Illinois, who is expected to make an instant impact for the staff.
First team All-UMAC performer senior Tiff Hudack will be used as primarily a catcher this spring. The infield remains the same, just a little more versatile. Sophomore Kasandra McCabe was an honorable mention All-UMAC performer her freshman season and will be back at third base, but could also play some in the middle infield. Sydney Gordon, who kept improving throughout last season, is back at shortstop. Ally Sweeney is back at second base. First base will either see Johnson or sophomore Kara Warren. Warren will play some catcher as well.
The biggest question mark for the Saints will be in the outfield. Senior Shauney Moen returns and will likely play center. McGuiness, Molly Jazdzewski, senior Emily Schiro and freshman Hannah Borgeson will see time at the corner outfield positions.
2. Bethany Lutheran College Vikings
2013 Overall Record: 23-20
2013 UMAC Record: 13-8
2013 UMAC Finish: T-3rd
Starters Returning: 8
Starters Lost: 2
The Vikings bring back all but two players from a team that won the UMAC Postseason Tournament and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history last season.
Pitching will be a strong point as both hurlers return, plus they bring in a newcomer that will add depth. Nicole Starkson is back at the top of the rotation. She led the conference in overall ERA (2.20) and was second in both strikeouts (152) and wins (12). She wasn't too bad at the plate either leading the team in batting average (.384) and home runs (5). Shannon Heitz is back also. She tossed a no-hitter and finished in the top five in the conference in both strikeouts and wins. Newcomer Allison Songstad will add an extra arm. She was a Two-time First Team All-Conference and All-Area performer in high school.
At the plate, Gena Chester brings power, speed, and the ability to get on base from the leadoff spot. She was right behind Starkson in batting average (.383) and led the conference in hits (54). She was also in the top ten in the conference in home runs, slugging percentage, runs, RBI, and on-base percentage and was named to the UMAC All-Defensive Team. Amanna Berthusen returns at first base. She was in the top five on the team in eight different categories. Newcomer Allison Norton brings with her a big bat from Alaska that will hopefully fill some of the void left by the departure of the two graduating seniors, Ashley Jensen and Kelsey Pekarna. Norton was a First Team All-Conference player from a Two-time state champion team in the great white north.
The focus for the team in 2014 is on being disciplined with goals of returning to the UMAC postseason tournament with a higher seed and getting back to the NCAA tournament.
3. University of Minnesota Morris Cougars
2013 Overall Record: 19-18
2013 UMAC Record: 14-7
2013 UMAC Finish: 2nd
Starters Returning: 9
Starters Lost: 2
The Cougars have won at least 14 games for the past three years in conference play. They were the number two seed in the UMAC Tournament and just one win shy of the UMAC Championship game last year. They had six players honored on the All-Conference Teams and return four of those players to the 2014 roster.
First Teamers Molly Olson and Sam Hanson will lead the Cougars this year after both having strong seasons in 2013. Olson has been a staple behind the plate, throwing out 7 of 23 base stealers as well as hitting .337. Hanson led the team with a .429 average and helped out in the circle as well.
With a core of solid returners and some exciting newcomers the Cougars hope to have a successful season and return to the UMAC Postseason Tournament.
4. University of Northwestern Eagles
2013 Overall Record: 18-18
2013 UMAC Record: 13-8
2013 UMAC Finish: T-3rd
Starters Returning: 3
Starters Lost: 7
The University of Northwestern softball team will take the field with a host of fresh faces as it begins its 2014 season. Returning just three starters from last year’s campaign that saw the Eagles go 18-18 overall (13-8 UMAC), UNW’s roster features 11 freshmen, two sophomores, and three upperclassmen.
Northwestern will see a lot of its youth take starting infield positions as action gets underway later this month, with freshmen Megan Threlkeld and Jennifer Ankrom making their debuts on the diamond. In the pitching circle, the Eagles will also rely on newcomers to make a difference as Lauren Silbernick, Kaia Larson, and Ann Lokke will also begin their first innings in a collegiate uniform.
Erin Kleinjan and Kelsey Stoltman will provide the Purple and Gold with experience in the outfield. A two-time UMAC All-Defensive selection, Stoltman will cap off her career after picking up credit for 37 putouts in 2013. Kleinjan made her presence felt from the batter’s box last season, hitting two home runs while also securing 12 outs off of long balls.
The Eagles will look forward to more home contests at Reynolds Field this spring after hosting just three dates during the extended winter of 2013.
5. Martin Luther College Knights
2013 Overall Record: 21-15
2013 UMAC Record: 13-8
2013 UMAC Finish: T-3rd
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost: 3
The Martin Luther College softball team is hoping to build off last season’s 21-15 record and third place finish in the hopes of returning to the UMAC Postseason Tournament in 2014. The 21 wins were a program record, while the third place finish was the best finish in the conference since the 2005 season.
Andrea Biedenbender returns behind the plate to lead a line-up that features six returning starters. Biedenbender was named First Team All-UMAC after hitting .453 with a .528 on-base percentage and 14 extra base hits. 2013 All-Defense team member MacCartney Mendolla and first baseman Morgan Kumbier return to lead the infield, but the Knights must replace a pair of four-year starters on the left side of the infield in Amanda Fogle and Amber Krause. Mendolla could move over to shortstop after playing second base the last several seasons, while Caitlin Seastrand, Kelli Doell and Emily Wessel figure into the mix at the other spots. The outfield returns starters Maggie Schultz and Emily Waldek, while Kate Wierzbicki, Sarah Couture and Sara Willems could all receive playing time there as well.
On the mound, MLC returns sophomore Kathryn Marquardt, who set a new single-season record for the Knights with ten wins in 2013 as a freshman. Marquardt pitched a team-best 122.2 innings last season with an ERA of 5.65, but the Knights will need to replace the 86.1 innings produced by departed senior Laura Miller. Waldek could see more action on the mound this season after working 20.1 innings there in 2013, while Doell also figures to be in the mix.
6. Northland College LumberJills
2013 Overall Record: 14-21
2013 UMAC Record: 9-12
2013 UMAC Finish: 6th
Starters Returning: 5
Starters Lost: 5
The 2014 edition of the Northland College Softball team will feature a young squad; 11 of the 16 players are in their first or second year. The LumberJills will be looking to replace over half of its offensive output (when measured by hits). The Jills graduated school all-time hits leader and All UMAC player Sam Bona, all-time home run leader Steph Wilkinson as well as Angelena Koosmann and Erin Roembke who both hit over .300 last season.
Leading the way among returners is 2013 UMAC Player of the Year Jayna Loy. Loy led the Jills with a .561 conference batting average and also recorded every pitching decision for the LumberJills. Faye Koosmann and Kaitlyn Witthun started all 21 conference games last year and hit .333 and .274 respectively. Other returners who saw significant playing time last year are Cassie Baumgarten, who started 17 games, and Katie Groeschel and Kelsey Bodart who platooned at shortstop. Brigid Reina will look to earn time in the outfield and Carolyn Malecha, Becca Fredlund and Sarah Hudson also return for the Jills.
Six newcomers will be looking to contribute to the LumberJill team this season. Averi Kanyuh (Fr., Rapid River, Mich.) earned Division 4 All-State honors in 2013. Pitchers Crystal Diaz (Fr., Burbank, Calif.) and Callie Kopp (Fr., Schaumburg, Ill.) will provide much needed depth in the circle. Erin Gilligan (Fr., Oconto Falls, Wis.), Rachel Sparrow (Fr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Briana Tody (Fr., Ashland, Wis.) round out the freshmen class.
“We are young this season, so there are a lot of question marks.” Said Head Coach Steve Wammer, “We are hopeful that our sophomores will be able to take the next step and that some of our freshmen will be able to contribute right away.”
7. North Central University
2013 Overall Record: 7-20
2013 UMAC Record: 5-16
2013 UMAC Finish: 7th
Starters Returning:
Starters Lost:
North Central will look to improve on its seventh place finish in their first year of UMAC membership. After winning five games in 2013, including taking two of three versus tournament runner-up Martin Luther College, the Rams return key offensive players and a mostly intact infield while replacing important pieces in the outfield and in the pitching circle.
The infield returns four of five starters including Rachael Thearin who was one of the Rams top batters last season. Second base and Shortstop will be covered by seniors Rachel Powell and Keishia Carpentier while the catching spot will be filled by Paisley Bennett. The Rams lost top pitching option Bethany Bostron to graduation but expect sophomore Meryn Garvey to take the reins without much drop off.
In the outfield NCU must replace NFCA All-Region selection Elisabeth Trickey who was not only the top fielding percentage player in the conference but led off of Division III in both stolen bases and batting average over her four year career. Sophomore Megan Myers will take over center and bring good power numbers to the plate to help bolster the offense.
Newcomers Holly Pieper and Allison Monson will bring depth and options at both infield and outfield. Sophomore Jamie High will come in to play first base after wrapping up the NCU basketball season.
8. Crown College Storm
2013 Overall Record: 0-25
2013 UMAC Record: 0-21
2013 UMAC Finish: 8th
Starters Returning: 6
Starters Lost: 3
As Crown Softball takes the field in 2014, head coach Jamie Ross boasts the most robust roster of his short tenure as coach at Crown. Of the twenty two players, only four of the players are upperclassman and thirteen of the players are freshman. However, the talent level of the roster is vastly improved as recruiting efforts have begun to pay off. Coach Ross will look to the young players to mature early and for some key leadership from his returning players to hopefully lead to some wins for program.
Key players for this year’s squad include returners Sarah Petkau and Erin Ebbers. Both players were Crown’s top two pitchers as far as games started and strikeouts. In addition, both accounted for nine runs scored which ranked second on Crown’s team from last year. Some of the key incoming freshman include Jena Willis from Kalispell, Montana who will be a power hitter and top pitcher. Her senior year she had 108 strikeouts in 78 innings and batted .452 with 10 homeruns. Another key freshman is Kate McLaughlin from Coon Rapids, Minnesota who brings a solid bat and great skills at the catcher position.
Following a full slate of nonconference games to start the season, all eight UMAC teams will begin their league schedules the week of March 31. After conference play, the top four teams will gather at Kenwood Field in Duluth, Minn. on May 2-3 for the UMAC Tournament, with the winner earning an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament.