MINOT, ND – The University of Mary softball team opens the 2022 season competing in four games in three days at Minot, ND. UMary begins play against Minot State University on Friday, February 4, at 5 pm. The Marauders then compete in a doubleheader on Saturday, February 5, as they take on Valley City State University (9 am) and the University of Minnesota Crookston (4:30 pm). UMary wraps up their weekend against Dakota Wesleyan University on Sunday, February 6, at 9 am.
About the Opposition
Minot State University is projected to finish seventh in the NSIC after going 22-22 last season. Senior first baseman Jamie Odlum and senior pitcher Trinity Valentine were named as the Beavers players to watch. Odlum was named to the All-NSIC second team in 2021. She was third in the NSIC in batting average (.421) and second in on-base percentage (.507). Valentine was sixth in the NSIC in wins in the 2021 season.
Valley City State University was picked to finish second in the North Star Athletic Association according to the NSAA Coaches' Preseason Poll. The Vikings went 35-7 last season and 25-2 in the NSAA. Senior infielder Joelle Aiello led the team in batting average (.369) and on-base percentage (.481) last year. Senior outfielder Riley Perryman led VSC in home runs last season with 12.
The University of Minnesota Crookston is projected to finish 16
th in the NSIC for the 2022 season. UMC went 10-32 overall last season and 6-22 in the Northern Sun. Junior infielder Dana Zarn and Evie Stuck were named the Golden Eagles players to watch. Darn led the team in batting average (.325) and hits (41). Stuck projects to be UMC's number one starter in her freshman year.
Dakota Wesleyan University went 10-28 overall in the 2020-21 season. Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Burke returns after leading DWU in batting average (.344). Junior pitcher Meghan Daffern led the Tigers in pitching last season with a 5.76 ERA.
Players to Watch
University of Mary infielder
Kaylee Kannegiesser and pitcher
Emari Evans were named 2022 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Players to Watch for the Marauders as the NSIC released the preseason coaches' poll.
Kannegiesser led the team last season in RBIs as she had had career-high 32 hits while hitting two home runs. She would finish the 2021 season with a .278 batting average and a .688 OPS.
Emari Evans transferred to UMary from Howard University. Evans competed at Shadow Ridge High School, where she was named to the 2019 5A All-Region First Team. She posted a 2.61 ERA during her senior year of high school.
NSIC Preseason Ranking
UMary is projected to finish 13
th in the Northern Sun, according to the NSIC preseason coaches' poll.
New Coach
Frantz enters her first year in charge of the Marauders softball program. She returns to the program as one of the most decorated scholar-athletes in the history of UMary softball. The former All-American was the assistant coach at Bismarck State College last year and was elevated to co-head coach of the Mystics following the season.
Returners
Eryn De Jonge returns after leading the team in batting average (.296).
Rachael Laetsch returns as a fifth-year senior after leading the team in slugging percentage (.451) while hitting five home runs.
Brooke De Jonge,
Mckenzie Reinhardt,
Haley Berube,
Avery Dome,
Devyn Ritz,
Madison Wszolek,
Morgan Diedrich,
Nicole Eckhardt all return for another year in the UMary softball program.
New Faces
UMary brings in six new freshmen to Marauders softball program.
Natasha Stubbs,
Erin Murphy,
Sariah Perez,
Ariana Retuta and
Sarah Martin will look to bring an immediate impact to the UMary lineup. Pitcher
Hannah Chambers will look to bring a new dynamic to the Marauders pitching staff.
UMary's season begins on Friday, February 4, as the Marauders compete against Minot State University at 5 pm.
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