LAS VEGAS, NV – The University of Mary softball team is beginning the season in a familiar location. For the 11^th straight season, the Marauders open their schedule in Las Vegas at the Desert Stinger Classic with two games on Friday, January 31, and five contests total over the weekend. Hosted by MSU Billings, the Marauders and team host Yellowjackets are the only two programs that have played in the Desert Stinger every season.
 
The Marauders take on University of California, San Diego in the opener followed by a clash with Saint Martin's University. Day two of the Stinger will feature games against Concordia University (Ore.) and Simon Fraser University. On Sunday, February 2, the Marauders close out their season opening tournament with a game against Oklahoma Baptist University.
 
Two of the Marauders five foes over the weekend finished with records above .500 during the 2019 season. The two teams finishing with a winning record were Concordia and UC San Diego. Concordia University completed their season with a 31-23 record. UC San Diego closed the year out with an impressive 37-17 record. The Tritons are ranked sixth in the nation in the 2020 NFCA Preseason Poll.
 
The Marauders return seven players who started 43 or more games in the field last season. Five of those players returning were the top five in batting average on the team. The 2020 Marauders will feature 10 returners and 10 newcomers.
 
Rebekkah Keller posted a slash line of .350 / .383 / .441 while starting 49 games in centerfield. The Apple Valley, CA led the team in hits (62), batting average (.350), and steals (24). She had 17 multi-hit games including walk off hits on back to back days. The Marauders leadoff hitter used her speed to steal four bases in a single game last season, setting a new UMary single game record.
 
Madison Jahner posted four wins, 84.1 innings pitched, and 31 strikeouts last season. The Dickinson, ND native had five complete games in her 24 appearances and 13 starts. She has a total of 12 wins and 108 strikeouts during her Marauders career.
 
Kaitlyn Alvarado had the lowest ERA of all Marauders pitchers while posting the highest on base percentage (.441) and the second highest slugging percentage from the plate (.531).
 
Emma Noble led the team in slugging percentage (.586) while hitting a team high 14 doubles to go along with six homeruns.
 
From behind the plate, Rachael Laetsch caught 14 runners stealing last year, the second highest total in the NSIC.
 
Three weeks after the Desert Stinger, UMary will play three games in Minot, ND. The Marauders will take on Minnesota Crookston on February 22 followed by games with Minot State and MSU Billings on February 23.
 
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