MINOT, ND – The University of Mary softball team opens their 2026 season this weekend with two doubleheaders in Minot, ND. The Marauders begin with a doubleheader against Black Hills State University on Friday, January 30, at noon. UMary then challenges Montana State University Billings on Saturday, January 31, at 12 pm.
HOW TO WATCH
Fans can watch the games or follow the live stats at www.GoUMary.com/coverage
JANELLE BERGMAN - NSIC PLAYER TO WATCH
Janelle Bergmann, a senior from Tracy, CA, is the Marauders NSIC Player to Watch. Last season, she posted a .310 batting average, .346 on-base percentage, and .563 slugging percentage to give her a team-best .909 OPS. The Tracy, CA, native led the Marauders in home runs (6) and RBIs (31) in her first season playing the outfield. Bergmann recorded 39 hits and eight steals in 46 games played.
ARRIA JOHNSON - NSIC PITCHER TO WATCH
Arria Johnson, a junior from Graham, WA, is the Marauders NSIC Pitcher to Watch in 2026. She led UMary with a 5.09 ERA last season. Johnson pitched 77 innings and struck out 32 batters.
NOTABLE RETURNERS
Madison Hunter became the first Marauder to earn first-team honors since Taylor Mendez did so in 2015. The Red Deer, Alberta, native led UMary in batting average (.342) and on-base percentage (.398). Hunter blasted two home runs and stole seven bases in her first season with the Marauders.
Genevieve Hastings was named to the 2025 NSIC All-Defensive Team for her great play at shortstop. Hastings showcased her prowess on the defense, recording 62 putouts and 100 assists. The Billings, MT, native posted a .936 fielding percentage as her tremendous arm helped UMary turn seven double plays. Hastings becomes the first Marauder since Kristin Ormsby did so in 2014.
Ariana Retuta returns for her fifth season. Retuta batted .296 to go along with a .388 slugging percentage and a .707 OPS.
Elyssa Verploegen prepares for her sophomore season. Verploegen led the team in innings pitched (95), strikeouts (59), and wins (4).
Other returners include
Ariane Sims,
Jenel Mallari,
Jaraya Diaz,
Cassidy Bagnell,
Jayleen Rojas,
Ivee Johnsen,
Madison Schamanski, and
Francesca Villaneda.
NEWCOMERS
Head coach
Amy Schmeckpeper adds ten newcomers to the roster. The Marauders have seven freshmen on the roster:
Olivia Gomez,
Claire Tompkins,
Jianna Cota,
Eleanor Funke,
Lalaina Baker,
Camryn Fuessel, and
Evelyn Darke.
UMary also adds three transfers:
Kaitlyn McLaughlin,
Daisy Sparrow, and
Bree Waldron.
THE STAFF
Amy Schmeckpeper enters her third year as the Marauders head softball coach. The Marauders showed progress on offense last year, posting 181 runs in 2025, a significant improvement from the 128 runs scored in 2024.
Kaitlyn Alvarado returns to UMary this season in her fourth year as an assistant coach. Alvarado was a standout player for the Marauders from 2019 to 2021, both in the circle and at the plate.
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