St. Scholastica slated for ninth-straight UMAC regular-season softball title
ST. PAUL---ST. PAUL, Minn.---In the last three seasons, the College of St. Scholastica has won 54 of 55 regular season Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) softball games. The Saints have also captured eight-straight regular season titles and 19 in the last 20 years.
Despite a surprising loss in game seven of the UMAC tournament last spring, the Saints are poised to maintain their regular-season consistency and capture their ninth conference crown in a row and could make a push for their sixth NCAA Championships appearance. With just over a week until UMAC softball teams take the field, St. Scholastica was chosen as a unanimous first-place choice in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll announced Wednesday.
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Poll |
Matchups |
Team Previews |
Following the departure of long-time head coach Jen Walter from St. Scholastica, Rilee Dawson was named UMAC Coach of the Year in her first season at the helm of the program after leading the Saints to a 26-15 overall mark and continued conference success.
A year ago, the Saints led almost every statistical category in conference games including at bats (488), runs (193), hits (220), doubles (51), home runs (20), RBI (173), walks (53), fewest strikeouts (19), batting average (.451), on base percentage (.503) and slugging percentage (.707).
As a team on the mound, the Saints boasted the lowest team earned run average (ERA) at 1.62 and recorded a league-best 7.37 strikeouts per game. They also gave up the fewest hits (71), runs (31), earned runs (22) and home runs (3).
Individually, the Saints were even better – the top four conference batting averages and on-base percentages all belonged to Saints and were .500 or better. Three St. Scholastica players tallied 20 or more conference RBI to rank among the top four and three recorded 28 or more hits in UMAC games.
Leading the dynamic Saints offense a year ago was Kara Warren – the third-straight St. Scholastica player to earn the UMAC Player of the Year nod. Warren led the league in several hitting categories en route to the team’s conference title. However, they will need to find a way to not only replace Warren, but also four-time All-UMAC First Team selection Nikki Logergren and fellow First Team honoree Micah McGuiness.
Though that trio of seniors had a huge impact on the success of the Saints, Dawson’s squad will be in good hands with the return of 2016 Rookie of the Year Maggie Schley, 2015 Player of the Year Chrisi Mizera and Honorable Mention Alexa Bremer.
Schley started her collegiate career off on the right foot ranking second in conference games in 2016 in average (.528) and in the top five for OBP (.548), hits (28), runs (21) and RBI (23). Schley was not only a weapon at the plate, but she saw significant time on the mound as part of a talented Saints' pitching staff. In conference games, Schley earned three wins in 22.1 innings pitched. She also boasted a 3.13 ERA that ranked eighth in the UMAC.
Since joining the Saints as a first-year in 2014, Mizera has been a dominate force on the mound and the team's most consistent weapon. The senior hurler has been an All-UMAC selection in each of her first three seasons and was the 2014 Rookie of the Year. As a junior, Mizera made seven starts in conference play and boasted a 1.58 ERA in 40 innings of work. She also averaged 7.88 strikeouts per game.
Bremer was a key contributor for the Saints last season recording 29 hits and 11 RBI in UMAC play. She led the league in runs scored (29) and on-base percentage (.594), and was third in average .527.
St. Scholastica may have been an easy pick for the coaches in first with 64 votes and eight first place tallies, but the 2016 UMAC tournament champion University of Wisconsin-Superior wasn’t far behind with 56 votes and one first place nod. The Yellowjackets were the lone team to defeat the Saints in regular season play and ended their postseason victories at just two in a row.
In a wild tournament with multiple weather delays, Wisconsin-Superior found itself in the driver’s seat after two days of play. They won a high-scoring affair over the University of Northwestern to start the tournament before stunning the Saints with a 1-0 win on the second day of play.
The Saints rebounded, though, winning two games on the third day – including a 11-3 victory over the Yellowjackets – to force a final championship game seven on a fourth day that was needed due to weather. The Yellowjackets then made their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2004 in just their first year as a UMAC member institution.
Repeating last year’s success may be challenging for the Yellowjackets after losing six starters from a year ago including All-UMAC First Team selection Katie Wilke and Honorable Mention selections Shelly Misco and Brittany Thomfordha. Fortunately for Head Coach Roger Plachta, several key contributors return to join nine first-year players hoping to make an impact right away.
Leading the Yellowjackets will be All-UMAC pitcher Sarah Hendrickson who pitched a UMAC-best 68.1 innings with a 2.05 ERA and a conference-leading 10 wins in 12 starts. Ciarra Taipale was also among the top UMAC hitters last season earning All-UMAC First Team, as was Katie White who was an Honorable Mention selection.
Just behind the Yellowjackets in the poll was Northwestern with 51 points for third. The Eagles tied the Yellowjackets with a 13-3 conference record for a second-place tie finish in the standings, but made a surprising exit from the UMAC tournament without a win. The experienced Eagles return eight seniors and plethora of talent that should put them alongside Wisconsin-Superior to challenge for the title.
Among those eight senior leaders are Lauren Silbernick, Megan Threlkeld and Colleen Feldheim. Silbernick was a All-UMAC First Team pitcher after a junior campaign in which she ranked in the top five in multiple conference-game pitching categories. Feldheim was a First Team selection after compiling 33 hits a year ago, while Threlkeld was both an Honorable Mention and All-Defensive Team selection. Talented hitters Ellen Larkin and Jennifer Ankrom should also help make an impact for the Eagles as they push for the postseason.
Following the Eagles, there was a near deadlock for the fourth and fifth place spots in the poll with Crown College edging the University of Minnesota Morris by one point. Crown – slated for 38 points – was fourth a year ago and hosted the first on-campus quarterfinal game in UMAC softball history, but was edged out by Minnesota Morris – bringing in 37 points – in a late rally. Both teams will look to make another postseason appearance in the first year of a five-team double-elimination format.
Crown has seen a surge in success over the last two seasons thanks in large part to a solid group of young players who now boast veteran experience. The Storm lose top pitcher Cearra Dulaney, but return senior All-UMAC pick Janelle Williams and junior First Team honoree Cassidy Valenzuela who led the team in hitting a year ago. They also will return power hitter Marissa Becerra who hopes to repeat the success of her Honorable Mention sophomore season.
Minnesota Morris lost just one All-UMAC pick in Alex Anderson to graduation and returns three players who helped contribute to the Cougars’ second-best team average (.361) in conference play. Among those returning are senior Honorable Mention selection Meghan Pomeroy and All-Defensive pick Gina Downie. Junior Autumn Mahoney also returns after earning both All-UMAC Honorable Mention and All-Defensive team.
Just eight points behind Minnesota Morris, Bethany Lutheran College was slated to finish sixth with 29 points, while Martin Luther College was seventh with 21 points. Northland College trailed the Knights by just one point with 20 in eighth, while North Central University rounded out the poll with eight points.
Under new Head Coach Dan Nessler, Bethany Lutheran could see a significant jump up the standings – especially with the return of All-UMAC pitcher Anna Pipernhagen and sophomore Kendra Porath who had a strong debut as a rookie tallying 25 hits and a .321 average overall.
Martin Luther finished sixth in the standings a year ago, but will look to remain competitive with the middle of the pack and challenge for the postseason. The Knights return junior star Megan Lemke who was a All-UMAC First Team selection during her sophomore campaign.
Northland College will need to get solid seasons out of seniors Crystal Diaz and Erin Gilligan to lead a Lumber Jill squad that struggled in conference play a year ago. Diaz should lead in pitching and power hitting after an All-UMAC junior season.
North Central should be improved under Allison Meadows who returns to her coaching post after a two-year hiatus. She welcomes back experienced juniors Abbey Erzberger and Amanda Roth.
The UMAC will see several teams begin non-conference play next week, but won’t see the start of UMAC competition until April 1 which kicks off with St. Scholastica hosting Minnesota Morris in a rivalry series. The second week of play will see some exciting matchups as Crown will take on Northwestern, while Bethany Lutheran and Martin Luther will face off in their annual rivalry series. Minnesota Morris and Wisconsin-Superior will also meet for two games that should have a significant impact on the postseason.
Moving into week three, two series on April 11 will be rematches from the postseason as Crown will look to stay ahead of Minnesota Morris, and Wisconsin-Superior and St. Scholastica will meet in their “bridge rivalry” – a series that could determine the conference title.
Week four will be a tough road for Northwestern as they travel to Wisconsin-Superior on April 19 before hosting St. Scholastica on April 22. Conference play wraps up the next week with all final series slated for April 29.
The UMAC tournament will start Thursday, May 4 with all games slated to take place at the No. 1 seed. The new five-team double-elimination tournament will host four games on the first day and one team will be eliminated. Two more teams will be eliminated on Friday over the course of three games, while the championship game and if necessary game will take place on championship Saturday, May 6.
Complete UMAC Schedule
2017 UMAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. St. Scholastica - 64 points (8 First Place Votes)
2. Wisconsin-Superior - 56 points (1 First Place Vote)
3. Northwestern - 51 points
4. Crown - 38 points
5. Minnesota Morris - 37 points
6. Bethany Lutheran- 29 points
7. Martin Luther - 21points
8. Northland - 20 points
9. North Central - 8 points
Team Previews
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BLC |
CC |
CSS |
MLC |
NC |
NCU |
UMM |
UNW |
UWS |
1. College of St. Scholastica
Rilee Dawson | 2nd Season |
2016 Season
15-1 UMAC, 26-15 Overall | 1st |
Postseason: Lost in UMAC Tournament Championship to UWS
Starters returning: 5
Starters lost: 5
Top Returners
- Chrisi Mizera, Sr. | 2015 UMAC Player of the Year; 2014 UMAC Rookie of the Year; 2014, 2015, 2016 First Team All-UMAC; 2016 UMAC All-Defensive Team | 2015, 2016 NFCA Third Team All-Midwest Region | 119 Ks, 12 Wins, Hit 5 HRs|
- Maggie Schley, So. | 2016 UMAC Rookie of the Year; 2016 First Team All-UMAC | 2016 NFCA Second Team All-Midwest Region| .446 BA, 18 2Bs, 38 RBIs |
- Alexa Bremer, Jr. | 2015, 2016 Honorable Mention All-UMAC | 57 Runs, .432 on-base pct., 18 multi-hit games|
Top Losses
- Kara Warren | 2016 UMAC Player of the Year; 2015, 2016 First Team All-UMAC; 2014 Honorable Mention All-UMAC | 2016 NFCA Second Team All-Midwest Region; 2015 NFCA Third Team All-Midwest Region | .400 career batting average, 133 career RBIs, .981 career fielding pct.|
- Nikki Logergren | 2014, 2015, 2016 First Team All-UMAC | 2015 NFCA Second Team All-Midwest Region | 24 career HRs, .404 career batting average, .740 career slugging pct. |
- Micah McGuiness | 2015 First Team All-UMAC; 2016 Honorable Mention All-UMAC | Other Honors | 39 Runs, 14 2Bs, .193 Opp. BA |
Need to Know
- Schley became the program’s third UMAC Rookie of the Year since 2013.
- The last three UMAC Player of the Year awards have been handed to St. Scholastica players.
- CSS has won eight straight UMAC regular season titles.
2. University of Wisconsin-Superior
Roger Plachta | 17th Season |
2016 Season
13-3 UMAC, 27-15 overall | 3rd |
Postseason: UMAC Tournament Champions, Lost in opening round of NCAA Tournament
Starters returning: 5
Starters lost: 6
Top Returners
- Sarah Hendrickson, Sr. RHP | 2016 All-UMAC First Team | 2.38 ERA, 167.1 innings, 20-9 record |
- Ciarra Taipale, Jr. OF | 2016 All-UMAC First Team | .361/.419/.664, 8 HR, 45 RBIs|
- Katie White, Jr. IF | 2016 All-UMAC Honorable Mention | .326/.374/.481, 11 doubles, 25 runs |
Top Losses
- Katie Wilke | 2016 All-UMAC First Team | .295/.352/.357, 7-9 SB, 26 runs |
- Shelly Misco | 2016 All-UMAC Honorable Mention | .298/.328/.405, 23 RBIs, 22 runs |
- Brittany Thomfordha | 2016 UMAC All-Defensive Team | .307/.336/.407, 9-13 SB, 26 runs |
Need to Know
- UW-Superior finished fourth in the conference batting .285 as a team last season. The Yellowjackets bid farewell to 190 of their 321 hits from season ago. Of those returning, outfielder Ciarra Taipale and infielder Katie White account for 86 of those hits.
- UWS does return the majority of its innings pitched after finishing second in the UMAC with a 2.72 ERA last season. Senior Sarah Hendrickson accounts for much of the returning workload having tossed 167.1 of the Yellowjackets’ 280.1 innings a year ago to the tune of a 2.38 ERA.
- Nine first-year players will join UW-Superior on the diamond this season in an effort to make up for 10 players that left the Yellowjackets after last season.
3. University of Northwestern
Alicia du’Monceaux | 9th |
2016 Season
20-22 Overall, 13-3 UMAC | 2nd |
Postseason: Lost to UWS and UMM in UMAC Tournament
Starters returning: 7
Starters lost: 2
Top Returners
- Lauren Silbernick, Sr. | 2016 First Team All-UMAC | 153.2 IP, 46 K, 15 CG |
- Megan Threlkeld, Sr. | 2016 Honorable Mention All-UMAC, All-Defensive team | .318 BA, .929 Fielding %, 11 2B|
- Colleen Feldheim, Sr. | 2016 First Team All-UMAC | .306 BA, 20 RBI, 33 hits |
Top Losses
- Morgan Pfaff | started 36 games, .926 fielding percentage, 7 BB|
Need to Know
- Largest incoming class of freshman under Coach du’Monceaux – will start JV schedule this spring.
- Eagles roster boasts eight seniors.
- UNW commits to doing one service project per month.
4. Crown College
Jamie Ross | 6th Seasons |
2016 Season
UMAC Record: 15-22, Overall record: 11-5 | 4th |
Postseason: Lost in home playoff game to Minnesota-Morris in first round.
Starters returning: 7
Starters lost: 3
Top Returners
- Cassidy Valenzuela, Jr. | 2016 All-UMAC First Team| .388 average, 26 rbis, .552 slugging % |
- Janelle Williams, Sr. | 2016 All-UMAC First Team | .367 average, 47 hits, 63 total bases |
- Marissa Becerra, Jr. | 2016 All-UMAC Honorable Mention | 26 runs, .314 average, .402 slugging % |
Top Losses
- Cearra Dulaney |All-UMAC Defensive Team | 4.57 era, 43 strikeouts, 14 complete games |
- Sara Petkau | .342 slugging %, .228 aveage, 3 complete games |
Need to Know
- Crown hosted it’s first playoff game last year and hopes to continue on that success with another playoff trip this year.
- Crown will rely on two first team All-UMAC performers returning to continue the strength of one of Crown’s strongest programs.
5. University of Minnesota Morris
Heather Pennie-Roy | 19th season |
2016 Season
8-8 in UMAC, 12-28 Overall | 5th |
Postseason: 2-2 record in UMAC Postseason Tournament
Starters returning:
Starters lost:
Top Returners
- Meghan Pomeroy, Sr. | 2016 All-UMAC Honorable Mention, 2015 All-UMAC First Team, 2014 All-UMAC Defensive Team | .200 avg, 18 hits, 16 runs, 19 RBIs |
- Autumn Mahoney, Jr. | 2016 All-UMAC HM, All-Defensive | .350 avg, team-high 43 hits, .504 slg pct, 11 extra base hits (6 triples) |
- Gina Downie, Sr. | 2016 All-UMAC Defensive Team, 2014 All-UMAC HM | .298 avg, 37 hits, 21 runs, .371 slg pct |
Top Losses
- Alex Anderson | 2016 All-UMAC First Team, 2015 All-UMAC HM | .325 avg, 26 hits, 26 runs, .338 slg pct |
- Kallie Grote | .250 avg, .333 slg pct |
- Maegan Anderson | 63.1 IP, 25 Ks, |
Need to Know
- Pennie-Roy is the longest-tenured head coach, in any sport, at Minnesota Morris.
- Her Cougar teams have eight consecutive double-digit win seasons and have qualified for UMAC postseason play in each season.
- The Cougars were second in the conference last season in team batting average (.300), on-base percentage (.350), and slugging percentage (.392).
6. Bethany Lutheran College
| Dan Nessler | 1st Season |
4-12 UMAC record, 7-23 Overall record | 7th |
Postseason: N/A
Starters returning: 7
Starters lost: 2
Top Returners
- Anna Pipenhagen, Jr. | First-Team All-UMAC | .387 avg., 29 hits, 3-5 pitching record |
- Kendra Porath, So. | .321 avg., 25 hits, 10 RBI’s |
- Amber Schulz, Jr. | .321 avg., 25 hits, 8 RBI’s |
Top Losses
- Dani Emkes | .243 avg., 17 hits, 7 RBI |
- Angela Timm | .218 avg., 7 RBI |
Need to Know
- First-year Head Coach Dan Nessler welcomes Eric Lewis, Ashley Hanley, and Brent Meshke to his coaching staff
- UMAC Conference Champions and Regional appearance in 2013
- Rachel Kurtenbach received 2016 UMAC Sportsmanship Award
7. Martin Luther College
Matt Pearson | 3rd Season |
2016 Season
5-11 UMAC, 9-20 Overall | 6th |
Starters returning: 8
Starters lost: 2
Top Returners
- Megan Lemke, Jr. | 2016 All-UMAC First Team | .398 BA,.578 SLG, 11 XBH |
- Jessica Friebe, Jr. | 2016 All-UMAC Honorable Mention, 2015 All-UMAC First Team | .338 BA, 12 SB, 26 R |
- Kelli Doell, Sr. | 16 RBI, 6 doubles, 6.15 ERA |
Top Losses
- Kathryn Marquardt | 6.80 ERA, 4-10 record, 83.1 IP |
-Janelle Radue | played in all 29 games at 3B, .246 BA, .941 FLD% |
Need to Know
- MLC must replace departed senior pitcher Kathryn Marquardt, who finished her MLC career as the program’s leader in career wins (31), strikeouts (148) and innings pitched (427.2).
- Megan Lemke led MLC last season in hits (33), batting average (.398), slugging pct. (.578), on-base pct. (.435), hits (33), doubles (nine), home runs (two) and runs batted in (23).
- Jessica Friebe stole 12 bases last season, and has stolen 27 of 32 attempted bases in her first two seasons.
8. Northland College
Steve Wammer | 16th Season |
2016 Season
3-13 UMAC, 4-30 Overall | 8th|
Starters returning: 5
Starters lost: 5
Top Returners
- Crystal Diaz, Sr | All-UMAC First Team | 1.306 OPS, 5 HR, .492 BA |
- Erin Gilligan, Sr. | All-UMAC Defensive Team | 7 Outfield Assists, .352 BA, >889 OPS |
Top Losses
- Kaitlyn Witthun | .345 BA, .862 OPS, |
- Katie Groeschel | Only 1 error in UMAC play at shortstop |
Need to Know
- Crystal Diaz has the third highest career batting average in LumberJill history.
- Erin Gilligan’s seven outfield assists in UMAC play is a single season record for the LumberJills.
- Steve Wammer has been the head coach in more championship games than any other current UMAC coach.
9. North Central University
Allison Meadows | 7th Season|
2016 Season
UMAC record 0-16, Overall record 1-25| Finish: 9th |
Starters returning: 7
Starters lost: 2
Top Returners
- Amanda Roth, Jr. | 2015 First Team All-UMAC | 2016: 10 singles, 5 Doubles, 2 Triples, 1 HR | Roth returns healthy to the Rams after enduring injuries during her sophomore campaign |
- Abbey Erzberger, Jr. | 2016: 16 Hits, 4 Doubles | Starting catcher and team captain Abbey Erzberger looks to help lead her team to an improved finish this year |
- Nora Sullivan, So. | 2016: 17 Hits, 4 Doubles, |
Top Losses
- Holly Pieper | 2016: 16 Hits
Need to Know
- NCU returns five juniors and five sophomores in the lineup. The team still remains young with no seniors.
- Coach Meadows returns to the program after a two year hiatus.