The University of Mary softball team wraps up an eight-game road trip to start Northern Sun play when the Marauders travel to Aberdeen, SD, to take on Northern State University in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 8, beginning at 1 pm. The original date was planned to be on Wednesday, April 7, but was moved back to Thursday.
LAST TIME OUT
UMary is coming off an exciting comeback win in game two of a doubleheader over #20 Minnesota State University – Mankato. With the Marauders down 4-0 going into the seventh inning, Eryn DeJonge got the Marauders started after she singled to left scoring Devyn Ritz. Kaylee Kannegiesser then singled to left field with two outs to score Madison Wszolek and DeJonge, closing the score to 4-3. Rachael Laetsch tied the game at 4-4 when she singled through the left side to score Kannegiesser.
The game-winning run for UMary came in the top of the eighth inning after Wszolek singled to left to bring home Madelynn Trout. Brooke Harder pitched all eight innings and was able to shut out the Mavericks in the eighth to earn the Marauders the victory.
RECORD
UMary enters Thursday's game with a 2-17 record and a 1-6 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.
FOLLOW LIVE
Live video and stats are provided for the Marauders games. Links are available at www.GoUMary.com/coverage
OPPO RESEARCH – Northern State University
Northern State has gotten off to a 12-8 (3-3 NSIC) start in the 2021 season. Last year NSU finished with a 15-4 record before the season was canceled due to COVID-19. The Wolves have defeated the Marauders three times this season as the game finished 2-0. Head coach Jenny Fuller enters her fourth season having gone 62-60 in her first three years with the Wolves. Senior infielder Kennady Thompson leads the team in hits (28) and batting average (.452). Senior Makenzie Merritt leads NSU in home runs (6) and RBIs (21). Elyse Cuttic is the Wolves leading pitcher as she has a 6-3 record with a 2.91 ERA.
HISTORY OF THE MATCHUPS
UMary is 13-9 against NSU since 2010. The Wolves have won the last four meetings between the teams.
STATS TO WATCH
- Mariah Sanchez leads the team with 23 hits as she has a .354 batting average and a .426 on-base percentage. She also is slugging .415 and has an OPS of 806.
- Eryn de Jonge is second on the team with 15 hits and currently has a .306 batting average.
- Devyn Ritz is hitting .320 on the year and has a 906 OPS.
- Rachael Laetsch leads the team with two home runs, 7 RBIs and an OPS of 736.
- Brooke de Jonge has 13 hits in her first season as a Marauder.
- Madelynn Trout has scored a team-high 7 runs, including the game-winner against the Mavericks.
- Alissa Alvarado has struck out 27 hitters in 44 innings, owns a team-best five complete games and has a 5.93 ERA
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Senior catcher Madelynn Trout and senior pitcher Kaitlyn Alvarado were named as 2021 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Players to Watch for the Marauders as the NSIC released the preseason coaches' poll.
In her first season as a Marauder, Trout slashed .380/.446/.740 while hitting four home runs and driving in 15 runs in 17 games. The senior catcher/utility player ed the team in OBP (.446) and OPS (1.186) and was second in slugging percentage (.740)
"Last year, Maddy Trout transferred to our team after being a part of a very successful junior college program," said Marauders head coach Steph Roan. "Since her first day on campus, Trout has made her presence known by being a good role model for our underclassmen to follow. On the field, she has been a major contributor behind the plate as a catcher and with the bat. As a young professional, Maddy continues to work hard in the classroom and strives to have a successful career."
Alvarado, back for her third season at UMary, posted an ERA of 3.00 with a WHIP of 0.99 in 30.1 innings last season. Opponents had a batting average of only .188 against her. The senior also hit .303 last year while collecting 15 RBIs.
"Kaitlyn has been a versatile threat both on the mound and at third base," said Roan. "She has also proven her worth in the box as a lefty power hitter. As an upperclassman, she has provided leadership qualities and a competitive spirit to our roster. This season will be her senior year so I anticipate big things from her!"
MARAUDERS PROJECTED TO FINISH 11TH
Roan enters her third season as the head coach of the Marauders softball program. The Marauders went 21-29 in her first season in charge and 12-9 last season before it was canceled.
"This season we have a veteran roster across the field," said Roan. "Several of these players have contributed to our success over the last of couple seasons. We also have younger players that are showing a lot of promise. I look forward to starting where we left off last season!"
UMary is projected to finish 11th in the NSIC according to the preseason coaches' poll. Augustana is the preseason favorite, followed by Winona State University, Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University, University of Minnesota Duluth, Concordia-St. Paul, Northern State University, Minot State University, University of Sioux Falls, Southwest Minnesota State University, UMary, Bemidji State University, Upper Iowa University, University of Minnesota Crookston, Wayne State College and MSU Moorhead.Â
UMARY ROSTER RUNDOWN
The Marauders bring back several big bats from last year, such as senior catcher/outfielder Rachael Laetsch who returns to the Marauders after having an on-base percentage of .435 and led the team with 10 walks. Last season Laetsch made no errors behind the plate and had 10 assists with 59 putouts.
Senior first basemen Kasidy Chileen has been a starter since her freshmen year for UMary. She hit .320 and drove in 33 runs in 2019. Other returning starters include Mariah Sanchez, Haley Berube and Mikaela Pelesauma.
To bolster the lineup, Roan brought in five new freshmen to the team. The freshmen include Brooke De Jonge, Levi Luna, Nichole Eckhardt, Alissa Alvarado and Mackenzie Reinhardt.
Other additions include junior outfielder Avery Dome who transferred from Phoenix Community College. Dome hit .455 in 51 games played while at Phoenix Community College.
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