NFCA Top 25 Rankings
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 15
May 25, 2009 | NSIC Release
Warriors Fall To Angelo State in NCAA DII World Series
May 23, 2009 | NCAA Braket | Box Score | World Series Site | Live Webcast 
SALEM, Va. - No. 6-ranked Winona State University banged out 13 hits but it was not enough as the Warriors lost to No. 4 Angelo State University, TX 7-3 in elimination-round play of the NCAA Division II World Series held at the Jamie I. Sports Complex. The Warriors completed their season with a single-season record 50 wins against only 13 losses, while Angelo State (50-9) moved on to the semifinal round of the World Series.
WSU came up with the 13 hits and took an early lead only to battle back-and-forth with the Rambelles until the fourth inning when ASU slugged a three-run home run for a 6-3 lead and then added an insurance run in the fifth.
The Warriors got its leadoff batter on base in each of the first six innings and took the lead 1-0 when Jenny Wilmes knocked out a single to drive in Kathie Curdo, who led off the second inning with the first of her two hits.
Angelo State came back to take a 2-1 lead with two runs in the bottom of the second only to have WSU tie the game 2-2 on Crudo’s run-scoring single that drove in Mollie Bjelland.
The Rambelles came back to retake the lead 3-2 with a run in their share of the third, only to have the Warriors counter with a run in the top of the fourth to tie the score. Consecutive hits by Amanda Wilhelm, Bjelland and Kayla Lewis led to Wilhelm scoring on the series of play.
After that ASU touched the Warriors’ Stacey Struzynski for a three-run home run in the last of the fourth and a solo home run in the last of the fifth.
For the game, Terra Halron finished with three hits to improve on her WSU career hit record to 267. Wilhelm also had three hits, including her single-season WSU record 21st double.
Struzynski went the distance for the Warriors, issuing her first walk in 19 innings pitched in the World Series, and finishing with four strikeouts.
Warriors Remain Alive In DII World Series
May 23, 2009 | NCAA Braket | Box Score | World Series Site | Live Webcast
SALEM, Va. -No. 6-ranked Winona State University came up with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and defeated No. 12 Le Moyne College, NY (45-13) 2-1 in the loser’s bracket of the NCAA Division II World Series play held at the Jamie I. Moyer Sports Complex. The Warriors advanced on the play No. 4 Angelo State University (49-9).
It is the first time in WSU (50-12) softball history that the Warriors had cracked the 50-win mark in a single-season.
Winona State took the lead with a two-out double down the leftfield line by Amanda Wilhelm. Callie Givens had led off the frame with a single and moved up to second on a wild pitch. From there Givens gambled and moved to third on a foul fly ball to left field as the leftfielder raced to the fence to make the catch.
That all set up a run-scoring single by Terra Halron, who earlier in the game led off things in the first frame for the Warriors with a base hit to make her the all-time hit leader (263) in WSU history, and tied the game at 1-1. Annie Stuedemann kept things alive for the Warriors when she reached on an error and then Wilhelm came up with the game-winning hit.
Sophomore, Stacey Struzynski took the mound win, going the distance and giving up six hits. For the second game in a row she did not walk a batter and finished the game with five strikeouts.
The lone run Struzynski gave up came in the top of the second when she gave up a single that was followed by a run-producing double to left.
In the end Struzynski (28-6), who tied the single-season WSU record for victories, retired the last nine batters she face.
WSU Falls to UAH 1-0
May 21-25, 2009 | NCAA Braket | Live Stats | World Series Site | Live Webcast
SALEM, Va. -- In athletic competition the outcome of a game usually comes down to a matter of inches and that was pretty much the situation with No. 6 Winona State University (49-12) as the Warriors lost to the Chargers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville 1-0 in the third game of the opening round to the NCAA Division II World Series held at the Jamie I. Moyer Sports Complex.
The loss snapped the Warriors' 14-game losing streak and sent them into the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournmant. WSU next will play May 23 at 1:00 p.m. against the loser of the Lock Haven University, PA-LeMoyne University, NY contest.
The No. 5 Chargers (52-5) got a bouncing double just over the head and out of the reach of WSU third baseman Kelly Ward and just inside the leftfield foul line to start the bottom of the fifth. UAH then used a sacrifice bunt to move the runner up to third and followed that up with a dying quail blooper to right centerfield that just fell in front of WSU centerfielder Mollie Bjelland to drive in what proved to be the winning.
On the Warrior side of things, they were held hitless until Amanda Wilhelm led off the top of the seventh with a bouncing ball to centerfield, the only ball WSU hit out of the infield. Bjelland then worked a walk to put the tying run for WSU on second base. Then the game of inches worked against the Warriors as Kayla Lewis’ line drive that was heading to the gap in right center was snagged by the UAH second baseman and Bjelland was caught off first base for the doubleplay.
Still the game was not finished as Kathy Crudo’s ground ball was booted at shortstop and Wilhelm moved up to third to give the Warriors life. But realty set in on the next play as Callie Givens’ ground ball to short produced the final out of the game.
Stacey Struzynski was the tough luck losing pitcher, scattering six hits. She did not walk a batter, struck out three and was on the short end of the game of inches.
NFCA Announces 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-American
May 21, 2009 | NFCA Release
SALEM, Va. – A total of 46 student-athletes from 30 schools have been honored as part of the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-America teams, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced on Wednesday. Winona State and Alabama-Huntsville lead the way with four All-America selections for each school, while Winona State has the most first-team selections with three.. The Warriors first-team selections include second baseman Amanda Wilhelm, outfielder Terra Halron and designated player Kayla Lewis with pitcher Stacey Struzynski earning second-team recogniztion.
Halron leads Winona State with a .420 batting average and 50 runs scored to go along with 20 doubles and 39 RBI on the season. Wilhelm leads her team with 14 home runs and has recorded 49 runs scored, 20 doubles and 47 RBI with a .417 batting average this year. Lewis hit .397 on the season with 17 doubles and 34 RBI. Struzynski is the Warriors top pitcher, checking in with a 1.27 ERA with a 27-5 record and 14 shutouts with 299 strikeouts over 209-1/3 innings pitched.
The NCAA Division II Softball Championship opens on Thursday, May 21. Indianapolis and Angelo State face off at noon in the opening game of the tournament, followed by North Georgia and Dixie State (2 pm ET), Alabama-Huntsville vs. Winona State (4 pm ET) and Lock Haven vs. Le Moyne (6 pm ET)
NFCA First Team All-American (NSIC Players)
Second Base Amanda Wilhelm Winona State University
Outfield Terra Halron Winona State University
Designated Player Kayla Lewis Winona State University
NFCA Second Team All-American (NSIC Players)
Pitcher Stacey Struzynski Winona State University
NFCA Third Team All-American (NSIC Players)
At Large/OF Amanda Burkhart Southwest Minnesota State University
Full NFCA All-American Teams
2009 Daktronics All-America Softball Team
May 21, 2009 | Daktronis Release
The NSIC had three players named to the Daktronics All-American Teams. SMSU's Amanda Burkhard was named to the first team, WSU's Amanda Wilhelm was named to the second team, while Stacey Struzynski was named honorable mention.
The team is sponsored by Daktronics, Inc., an acknowledged world leader in scoring, timing and programmable display systems for virtually every sport at every level of competition. The team is
voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-American First Team
Amanda Burkhart (RF, Sr., Omaha, Neb.) put together a stellar campaign at the plate for SMSU in 2009, leading the NSIC in seven different offensive categories. She finished the season leading the conference in batting average (.506), slugging percentage (1.065) and on base percentage (.581). She was also tops in the conference in hits (39), RBIs (38), home runs (13) and total bases (82). The SMSU record book has been a familiar place for the senior; this season, she’s set single-season records for home runs with 18 and RBIs with 57. Burkhart also set the SMSU single-season record in slugging percentage with .728. In the Mustang career record book, she has owns the No. 1 spot in home runs with 34, RBIs with 160 and doubles with 42.
The right fielder finished the season leading the Mustangs with a .367 batting average, 62 hits, 40 runs, 18 home runs and 57 RBIs. Her .728 slugging percentage and .438 on base percentage are also Mustang bests. Burkhart was named Daktronics Central Region Player of the Year, the NSIC Player of the Year and to the All-NSIC first team.
Winona State's senior, second baseman, Amanda Wilhelm was named to the second team while sophomore, starting pitcher, Stacey Struzynski was an honorable mention pick.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 14
WSU Wins NCAA DII Softball Regional Championship
May 18, 2009 | NSIC Release | Box Score | DII World Series
Winona, Minn. - No. 6 ranked Winona State University (49-11) will face the University of Alabama in Huntsville (51-5) in Game Three of the opening round to the NCAA Division II World Series. The Division II World Series will be held May 21-25 at the Jamie I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, VA. Alabama-Huntsville, ranked No. 5 in the country, eliminated No. 3 Valdosta State, GA, in two games of super region action by coming up with wins on scores of 2-0 and 3-0. Game time for the contest between the Warriors and Chargers is slated for May 21 3:00 p.m.
No. 6-ranked Winona State University (49-11) hit and pitched its way into the NCAA Division II World Series with an 8-0, five-inning, win over Mesa State College, CO (30-21) in Game Two of the best-of-three series to the Super Region Three Tournament held at WSU Alumni Field.
The win, the 14th straight for the Warriors, now sends Winona State to it first ever appearance in the Division II World Series, May 21-25 in Salem, VA.
Sophomore, Stacey Struzynski tossed a no-hitter and used a three-home run, four-run fifth inning, to the best of her advantage, as she finished the game with three walks and eight strikeouts and did not allow a ball to be hit out of the infield.
Mesa State, the No. 7 seed in the region tournament, did pose a couple threats against Sturzynski. In the bottom of the first the Mavericks got a leadoff walk and moved the runner to third, after a stolen base and sacrifice bunt, with one out, but Struzynski got the next batter on a called third strike the third out of the inning on a popup to second.
In the second inning Mesa State again got a runner to third. This time with two outs before Struzynski corralled a bouncer back to her and turned it into the third out of the frame.
The only other runner to reach for Mesa State came on a walk to lead off the fourth, but Struzynski retired the next six batters in a row after that.
While all that was going on the Warriors, the No. 1 seed in the tournament, made use of three unearned runs, two in the first inning and one in the fourth, for a 3-0 lead. But then WSU exploded for three runs in the fifth. Terra Halron led off with a double and Annie Stuedemann followed with a shot to leftfield for a 5-0 WSU lead. MSC then switched pitchers, but it did make any difference as Amanda Wilhelm greeted the new hurler and circled the bases with a blast to centerfield. WSU then completed the inning with a walk, and two outs later, Callie Givens hit a line drive to leftfield that bounced off the top and over the fence for a two-run home run.
WSU Wins First of Three Series in Softball Regional Championship
May 15, 2009 | Box Score
Winona, Minn. - No. 6-ranked Winona State University (48-11) scored four runs in the first inning and that proved be plenty of help for Stacey Struzynski, as the Warriors defeated Mesa State College, CO (30-20) 7-1 in the opening game of the best-of-three series to the NCAA Division II Super Region Three Tournament held at WSU Alumni Field.
The win extended WSU’s winning streak to 12 games.
Mollie Bjelland keyed the Warrior breakout in the first inning, as she stroked a three-run home run, after Annie Stuedemann and Amanda Wilhelm had back-to-back singles, to centerfield. Kayla Lewis then came up with the fourth straight hit for the Warriors and, after the second out of the inning was made, scored on a double by Callie Givens.
Struzynski had started the top half of the first inning by issuing a leadoff walk, but retired the side. She then gave up another leadoff walk to start the second frame before setting down ten straight Mesa State Mavericks in a row. That was to give Struzynski a no-hitter for four and a third innings before it was broken up on a solo home run by MSC’s Megan Hennessy in the fifth.
Struzynski would give up just two more groundball singles up the middle in the sixth inning. That started a bases-loaded situation, but Struzynski got a pitcher-to-catcher-to-first base doubleplay and another ground ball out to end the threat and any other hopes the Mavericks could stage a comeback.
While Struzynski was doing her mastery on the mound, the Warriors added a run in the fourth on Jenny Wilmes’ base hit in the fourth and came up with two more runs in the fifth on a single by Kathy Crudo and a fielder’s choice by Givens.
It's Amanda's World - Johnson - Burkhart Named Regional POY
Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region Team Announced
May 13, 2009 | PDF Release
Southwest Minnesota State University tabbed both the Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year accolades for the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region. SMSU’s Amanda Burkhart was named the Central Player of the Year, while Amanda Johnson garnered the Central Pitcher of the Year honors.
Below is the list of the 2009 Daktronics, Inc. All-Central Region First Team and Second Team. Of note, all players that land on the First Team will automatically advance to the All-America ballot.
The composition of the All-Region teams were two teams (1st and 2nd) comprised of 13 persons based on position breakdown (1 C, 1 1B, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 SS, 3 OF,
1 DP, 1 UT, 3 P). A regional Player and Pitcher of the Year (separate ballot) were also selected by the sports information directors of each school in the region.
2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region First Team
Central Player of the Year:
Amanda Burkhart (RF, Sr., Omaha, Neb.) put together a stellar campaign at the plate for SMSU in 2009, leading the NSIC in seven different offensive categories. She finished the season leading the conference in batting average (.506), slugging percentage (1.065) and on base percentage (.581). She was also tops in the conference in hits (39), RBIs (38), home runs (13) and total bases (82). The SMSU record book has been a familiar place for the senior; this season, she’s set single-season records for home runs with 18 and RBIs with 57. Burkhart also set the SMSU single-season record in slugging percentage with .728. In the Mustang career record book, she has owns the No. 1 spot in home runs with 34, RBIs with 160 and doubles with 42.
The right fielder finished the season leading the Mustangs with a .367 batting average, 62 hits, 40 runs, 18 home runs and 57 RBIs. Her .728 slugging percentage and .438 on base percentage are also Mustang bests. Burkhart was also named the NSIC Player of the Year and All-NSIC first team. These are Burkhart’s first all-region accolades; she is the first SMSU player to receive the Player of the Year award.
Central Pitcher of the Year:
Amanda Johnson (RPH, Sr., Fremont, Neb.) earned her second Daktronics All-Region Pitcher of the Year selection and third first team nod; she was also named Region Pitcher of the Year last season and was a first team honoree in 2008 and 2007. The senior finished this regular conference season as the NSIC’s leader in wins with 14 and ERA with 1.01. Johnson held Northern Sun opponents to a .192 batting average and struck out 116 of them in 96.2 innings.
Johnson also tossed her first career no-hitter this season and recorded her 1,000th career strikeout—the latter a feat only 15 other players in NCAA Division II history have accomplished and only she has reached at SMSU. No doubt an icon in Mustang softball lore, Johnson extended her lead in the records, both single season and career, that she already holds at SMSU. Johnson finished the year with a 20-12 record on the mound and was named NSIC Pitcher of the Year and All-NSIC first team for the fourth consecutive season.
Pitchers:
Katie Goetzinger, Wayne St. (Neb.) Pitcher
Stacey Struzynski, Winona St. Pitcher
Amanda Johnson, Southwest Minn. St. Pitcher
Outfielders:
Kellie Nishikida, Metropolitan St. Denver CF
Amanda Burkhart, Southwest Minn. St. RF
Kaleigh Starr, Colorado School of Mines OF
1B: Amanda Tucci, Southwest Minn. St. 1B
2B: Amanda Wilhelm, Winona St. 2B
SS: Kristina Barr, Western New Mexico SS
3B: Lauren Cross, Mesa St. 3B
C: Alisa Heronema, Regis (Colo.) C
DP: Tara Mickelson, Metropolitan St. Denver DP
UT: Katie Kocman, Colorado School of Mines UT
2009 Daktronics, Inc. Softball All-Central Region Second Team
Pitchers:
Christie Robinson, Metropolitan St. Denver P
Casey Williams, Chadron St. P/DP
Kendra Huettl, Minn. St. Mankato P
Outfielders:
Terra Halron, Winona St. OF
Jess Anderson, Minn. St. Mankato OF
Ashley Aldrich, Colorado St.-Pueblo CF
1B: Denee Johnson, Adams St. 1B
2B: Kelly Purcell, Colorado St.-Pueblo 2B
SS: Janine Tyler, Colorado St.-Pueblo SS
3B: Katie Johnson, Colorado St.-Pueblo 3B
C: Sarah Van Lingen, Colorado School of Mines C
DP: Courtney Davis, Adams St. DP
UT: Sara Jordan, Mesa St. P/DH
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 13
WSU Wins Central Region Championship Round Game
May 11, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2
Winona, Minn. - Winona State (47-11) put up two runs in the top of the first inning and made it stand up in defeating Wayne State College, NE (41-21) 2-0 in the championship round of the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament held at WSU Alumni Field. The Warriors will now face Mesa State (Colo.) in the best of three series with game one being played on Friday, May 15 at 2:00 p.m. in Winona, Minn. Game two is set for Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. and the third game (if necessary) is set for the 16th at 4:30 p.m. in Winona. The NCAA Championships will be held May 21-25 in Salem, Virginia, at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.
The No. 6-ranked Warriors now advance on to double-elimination play of the Super Region 3 Tournament with the winner advancing on to the NCAA national championship.
The No. 1 Seeded Warriors extended their winning streak by starting a two-out rally on Amanda Wilhelm’s base hit to right. Mollie Bjelland then was hit by a pitch before Kayla Lewis came up with a single to rightfield. Wilhelm scored on the hit, but the ball skipped past the WSC rightfielder and Bjelland raced all the way around from first to score the second run.
The No. 4 Seeded Wildcats did outhit the Warriors, but failed to come up with the clutch hit against the Warriors’ Stacey Struzynski. In the fourth inning the Wildcats put runners on second and third with two outs and failed to score. Then in the fifth inning Struzynski gave up a leadoff walk and the runner was moved up a base with a bunt single. This time Struzynski managed to retire the next three batters. And in the last of the seventh Wayne State got its leadoff batter to double to rightcenter, but Struzynski again retired the next three batters to end the game.
Struzynski finished the game with a five-hitter. She gave up two walks and struckout seven.
WSC Eliminates MSU With 4-2 Win
May 9, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2
Winona, Minn. - Wayne State used a four-run fifth inning, then held off a seventh inning Minnesota State rally to top the Mavericks 4-2 Saturday evening in the elimination bracket at the NCAA Division II Central Regional Softball Tournament in Winona, Minnesota. The Wildcats now advance to Sunday’s championship game with a 41-20 record and will face sixth-ranked and top seed Winona State (46-11). The Wildcats need to win twice Sunday to capture the regional title.
Both teams threatened to score in the first inning. Minnesota State’s Abby Morris, who led off the game with a single to center field, was gunned down in a pickle between third and home following a single to left field by Katie Reed. WSC also threatened to score in the first inning as the Wildcats loaded the bases, but failed to score. Hannah Engelkamp singled to third, Sam Earleywine was hit by the pitch and Katie Goetzinger reached on a fielding error by Mavericks shortstop Amity Livingston to load the bases, however Wildcat designated player Jennifer Radley struck out to end the inning.
M innesota State scored the game’s first run in the second inning on a pair of singles as Kelsey Thompson singled center field and then came home on Livingston’s single up the middle with two outs to give the Mavericks a 1-0 advantage. WSC used strong defense to stop another MSU scoring threat in the third as Jess Anderson and Katie Reed singled to put runners at first and second with just one out, but Mavericks third baseman Natalie Spicer grounded into a double play to Wildcat third baseman Brittany Greenwood to end the inning.
The Wildcat offense strung together several hits in the fifth inning to get on the scoreboard and take control of the game as Alyssa Kirsch singled to right center field to open the inning and advanced to second on Kiley Peterson’s sacrifice bunt. Amy Sandstrom then laced a double down the right field line that scored Kirsch from second to knot the score at 1-1. Hannah Engelkamp followed with a two-run homer to right center field, her fourth home run of the season, to put the Wildcats in front 3-1. The Wildcats added another run when Sam Earleywine doubled to right center and pinch runner Brooke Vollmer scored on Katie Goetzinger’s double off the left field fence for a 4-1 Wayne State lead.
Goetzinger had retired 10 straight batters entering the seventh inning, but Minnesota State’s Kelsey Thompson belted a solo homer to centerfield to cut the Wildcat lead to 4-2. Then Minnesota State’s Julie O’Neal singled to left field and pinch hitter Libbie Reichling singled down the left field line to put runners at first and third with one out. Minnesota State’s Amanda Umhoefer flied to rightfield for the second out and Abby Morris grounded out to shortstop to end the game as the Wildcats hung on for the 4-2 win.
Wayne State had eight hits in the game as Engelkamp finished with a homer and single, going 2 for 3 with two RBI’s and a run scored. Goetzinger also finished 2 for 3 with a double and RBI. Amy Sandstrom, Sam Earleywine and Liz Hullinger each doubled while Alyssa Kirsch added a single to round out the Wildcats’ eight-hit attack.
Goetzinger (31-14) pitched a complete game for the Wildcats to earn the win. She allowed nine hits and two runs while notching two strikeouts and no walks in the win.
MSU Eliminates SMSU With 4-3 12 Inning Win
May 9, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2
Winona, Minn. - Minnesota State sophomore first baseman Julie O’Neal’s RBI single to leftfield in the bottom of the 12th inning propelled Minnesota State a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Southwest Minnesota State in an elimination game of the 2009 NCAA Central Region Tournament played at Alumni Field in Marshall, Minn.
Minnesota State threatened in the bottom of the first as senior rightfielder Jess Anderson reached on a one-out walk and moved to third on a double off the bat of senior second baseman Katie Reed, her tenth of the year and 40th of her career.
SMSU pitcher Amanda Johnson used a lineout and a strikeout to get out of the jam unharmed and keep the game scoreless.
The Mustangs jumped on the board in the top of the second as Amanda Voss singled to left with two outs. On the ensuing swing, Kiley Petersen knocked a home run over the rightfield wall to give SMSU a 2-0 advantage after two innings.
SMSU added another run in the top of the third as Jessica Paczosa took the first pitch of the third inning over the fence to extend the lead to 3-0.
Meaghan Leatsch followed with a four-pitch walk before Kristin Braden doubled to rightcenter putting runners at the corners. Amanda Burkhart then drew a walk to load the bases before redshirt freshman Kendra Huettl worked her way out of the jam with a fielder’s choice sandwiched between a pair of strikeouts.
The Mavericks jumped on the board in the bottom of the fourth when junior catcher Kelsey Thompson blasted a one-out solo-shot to centerfield, her 12th of the year. The home run moved Thompson into a tie with Ashley Jay (2006) for second on the school’s single-season list.
Minnesota State added a run in the seventh as Anderson reached on a bunt single before Reed blasted a double to centerfield to plate Anderson, cutting the lead to 3-2. Sophomore third baseman Natalie Spicer and Thompson would walk to load the bases for sophomore first baseman Julie O’Neal.
O’Neal would draw a five-pitch walk to tie the game at three. Freshman leftfielder Chelsea Erickson grounded out to end the inning and force extra innings.
Neither team could muster much of a threat until the 12th when Reed drew a leadoff walk. Spicer and Thompson each reached on bunt singles to load the bases for O’Neal and set up her heroics.
Huettl went the distance for Minnesota State (39-16) allowing three runs –all earned – on five hits. She did not allow a hit in the final nine innings to secure the win. She struck out seven and walked five as she improved to 22-8 on the season.
Johnson took the loss for SMSU. She allowed 11 hits over 11 innings while striking out eight and walking seven.
Reed went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI in the win to pace MSU. Anderson and Thompson each added two hits as well.
Winona State Blanks Wayne State 5-0 in NCAA Softball Sub-Regional
May 9, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2
Winona, Minn. - No. 6-ranked Winona State University (46-11) hit three home runs and rolled to a 5-0 win over Wayne State College, NE (40-20) in second-round action of the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament at WSU Alumni Field.
The win puts the Warriors into the championship round of the tournament and they will have to be beaten in back-to-back games to be eliminated. The victory also extended the Warriors' winning streak to 11 games.
The WSU long-ball surge started with two outs in the second inning when Kathy Crudo and Callie Givens hit back-to-back solo home runs. Then in the third inning, Mollie Bjelland put the icing on the cake with a two-out three-run home run to deep centerfield.
Warrior starting pitcher Stacey Struzynski was the beneficary of the offense output, but really did not need very much, as she tossed a two-hitter with no walks and five strikeouts. Struzynski retired the first seven batters in a row before giving up a hit and then retired eight straight before allowing the Wildcats their second hit of the game. From there Struzynski retired the last five batters she faced.
Adding to the Warrior highlights was Terra Halron, who came up with a double to lead off the third and set a single-season WSU record for hits with her 87th of the season.
Wayne State Defeats Minnesota State 3-1 in NCAA Softball Sub-Regional
May 8, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2 | Live Stats
Winona, Minn. - Wayne State, in their first NCAA Tournament game, defeated Minnesota State 3-1 to open the 2009 NCAA Central Sub-Regional Tournament Friday afternoon at WSU Alumni Field.
The Mavericks (38-16) will play Southwest Minnesota State Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in an elimination contest while Wayne State will play Winona State at 1 p.m., for a right to play in the championship game.
The Mavericks threatened in the top of the second as junior catcher Kelsey Thompson led off with a single to left field. Thompson then beat out a throw to second on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Libbie Reichling to put runners on first and second with no outs.
Wayne State hurler Katie Goetzinger then got a pop-out and a ground-ball double play to get out of the inning unscathed.
In the third, redshirt freshman Amanda Umhoefer led off with an infield single to short before junior centerfielder Abby Morris reached on a bunt single in front of the plate. Goetzinger again got out of the inning unharmed as she used a strikeout, an infield fly and groundout to get out of the inning scoreless.
Wayne State’s Amy Sandstrom broke up redshirt freshman pitcher Kendra Huettl’s no-hit bid in the bottom of the fourth as she singled up the middle. A sacrifice bunt would move Sandstrom to second and a passed ball would move her to third before she scored on Blaire Kuhl’s double to rightfield.
Kuhl then came around to score when Goetzinger helped her own cause with a single to rightfield, giving Wayne State a 2-0 lead.
The Wildcats added a run in the bottom of the fifth as Alyssa Kirsch scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hannah Engelkamp.
The Mavericks cracked the board in the top of the sixth as senior rightfielder Jess Anderson reached on a single. Anderson then came around to score on a double off the bat of senior second baseman Katie Reed, cutting the score to 3-1.
The double was Reed’s ninth of the season and the 39th of her career. The 39 doubles moves her into a tie with Jill Johnson (1993-96) for fifth on the school’s all-time list.
Reed, who had doubled with no outs, was stranded at second as Goetzinger got a pair of fly outs and a strikeout to end the inning without any further damage.
Winona State Downs SMSU 3-1 in NCAA Sub-Regional
May 8, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2 | Live Stats
Winona, Minn. - -- Amanda Wilhelm came up with a game-winning home run to lead No. 6-ranked Winona State University to a 3-1 win over Southwest Minnesota State University in the opening game to the NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament held at WSU Alumni Field.
Wilhelm gave the No. 1 Seeded Warriors (45-11) the lead for good when she stroked a two-out round tripper, her 11th of the season, in the bottom of the fifth inning.
The No. 8 Seed SMSU Mustangs (32-22) had taken a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Amanda Tucci spanked a solo home run, her 13th of the season, with one out in the inning.
WSU came back and tied the game in the last of the third when Terra Halron, who finished with three hits, led off the frame with a single to rightcenterfield. One out later Wilhelm ripped a double, the second of her three hits, to rightcenter and Halron scored on the play to tie the game.
Aside from the home run Stacey Struzynski gave up, she allowed the Mustangs only two more hits, two walks and struck out seven.
Struzynski did load the bases in the fourth inning with one out, but struck out the final two batters of the inning and then retired the final nine she faced in a row. The Warriors await the winner of Minnesota State / Wayne State while SMSU awaits the loser of that game.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 12
NCAA Regional Brackets Announced
May 4, 2009 | NSIC Release | NCAA Release | Bracket #1 | Bracket #2 | Live Stats
INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has announced that Winona State will host one of two four-team tournaments to the Central Region Tournament. The double-elimination tournaments will begin May 8 and run through May 10. WSU (44-11) is the No. 1 Seed in the tournament and will face No. 8 Seed Southwest Minnesota State University (38-15) at WSU Alumni Field. The other opening game in the WSU bracket will have No. 4 Seed Wayne State College, NE (39-19) going up against No. 5 Seed Minnesota State University Mankato (38-15).
The other half of the region tournament will be hosted by No. 2 Seed Metropolitan State College of Denver, CO. Metro State (40-10) will tangle with No. 7 Seed Mesa State College, CO (27-19), while the other pairing in the Metro bracket will have No. 3 Seed Colorado School of Mines (37-16) going up against No. 6 Seed Colorado State University-Pueblo (29-18).
The winners of the two regional tournament will then face each other in a super regional tournament May 15-16.
The super regional winners will advance to the NCAA Division II Championship May 21-25 in Salem, VA at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex.
Central Region Bracket #1 | Bracket #2
1. Winona State* 41-11
2. Metropolitan State* 40-10
3. Colorado School of Mines 37-16
4. Wayne State (Nebraska) 39-19
5. Minnesota State Mankato 37-15
6. Colorado State-Pueblo 29-18
7. Mesa State 27-19
8. Southwest Minnesota State 31-21
WSU Wins NSIC Women's Softball Tournament Championship
May 1-2 , 2009 | Tournament Site
Winona State prevented the tying run from scoring in the closing moments of the NSIC Tournament championship game
Marshall, Minn. - Senior, outfielder, Terra Halron came up with her biggest hit in her collegiate career when she raced out a three-run, inside the park, home run to lead No. 9-ranked Winona State University to a 3-2 win over Southwest Minnesota State University and a championship in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament.
The title was the second straight NSIC title for the Warriors (44-11), who went through the tournament unbeaten and extended their winning streak to nine games.
The Warriors trailed 2-0 going into the sixth inning when Katie Crudo led off the frame with a single. Two outs later Jenny Wilmes singled to set the stage for Halron. Halron lined a shot to leftfield where the outfielder failed to make a diving catch. From there Crudo and Wilmes scored on the play and Halron raced around the bases and beat the throw to homeplate for what proved to be the winning run.
The game was in doubt through the last of the seventh when SMSU put a runner on base to lead off the frame. Two outs later a base hit was sent to center and the leadoff runner tried to score on the play, but the Warriors' centerfielder Mollie Bjelland throw out the runner at the plate to end the game.
Stacey Struzynski went the distance for the Warriors, allowing four hits and one walk to go with ten strikeouts.
The victory gives the Warriors and automatic berth in NCAA Division II Region Tournament play. Click here for Tournament Site.
All-Tournament Team
Pitchers--
Amanda Johnson, Southwest Minnesota State
Stacey Struzynski, Winona State
Designated Player/Utility--
Kiley Peterson, Southwest Minnesota State
Position Players---
Traci Fransen, 3B, Augustana
Meaghan Laetsch, LF, Southwest Minnesota State
Amy Sandstrom, CF, Wayne State
Jess Anderson, RF, Minnesota State
Terra Halron, RF, Winona State
Chelsey Durland, P/1B, Augustana
Amanda Burkhart, RF, Southwest Minnesota State
Amanda Wilhelm, 2B, Winona State
NSIC Women's Softball All-Conference Team Announced
April 30 , 2009 | Full Release
St. Paul, Minn. - The NSIC has released the 2009 NSIC All-Conference Softball Team. Southwest Minnesota State, who has won the last four NSIC Regular Season Championships, boasted NSIC Player and Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive season. Amanda Burkhart took home the honor this season as NSIC Player of the Year while Amanda Johnson was voted as NSIC Pitcher of the Year for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season. NSIC Rookie of the Year honors went to Kayla Lewis of the Winona State while Gretta Melsted was voted by her peers as NSIC Coach of the Year after leading Augustana College to a second place finish in the NSIC this season, just a half game behind SMSU.
NSIC Player of the Year
#4 Amanda Burkhart (RF, 5-6, Sr., R/R, Omaha, Neb. / Millard South)
Southwest Minnesota State University
Amanda Burkhart has put together a stellar campaign at the plate for Southwest Minnesota State in 2009, leading the NSIC in seven different offensive categories. She holds the conference’s top batting average (.506), slugging percentage (1.065) and on base percentage (.581). She is also tops in the conference in hits (39), RBIs (38), home runs (13) and total bases (82). The SMSU record book has been a familiar place for the senior; this season, she’s set single-season records for home runs with 16 and RBIs with 52. Burkhart also currently has the SMSU single-season record in slugging percentage with .752. In the Mustang career record book, she has moved into the No. 1 spot in home runs with 32, RBIs with 155 and doubles with 42. The right fielder currently leads the Mustangs with a .383 batting average, 57 hits, 38 runs, 16 homeruns and 52 RBIs. Her .752 slugging percentage and .446 on base percentage are also Mustang bests. Burkhart was named NSIC Player of the Week twice this season. This is the third time SMSU has had a Player of the Year honoree. SMSU’s Erin Dickhausen was named NSIC Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008.
NSIC Pitcher of the Year
#21 Amanda Johnson (P, Sr., R/R, Fremont, Neb. / Papillion-LaVista HS)
Southwest Minnesota State University
Already a three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Year honoree, Amanda Johnson’s 2009 crusade in the circle was another successful one. The senior finished this regular conference season as the NSIC’s leader in wins with 14 and ERA with 1.01. Johnson held NSIC opponents to a .192 batting average and struck out 116 of them in 96.2 innings. The senior was the Mustangs’ ace on the mound, going 17-9, posting a 1.63 ERA, striking out 191, and holding opponents to a .216 batting average in 171.2 innings pitched in 2009. Johnson also tossed her first career no-hitter this season and tossed her 1,000th career strikeout—the latter a feat only 15 other players in NCAA Division II history have accomplished and only she has reached at SMSU. No doubt an icon in Mustang softball lore, Johnson extended her lead in the records, both single season and career, that she already holds at SMSU. Johnson was honored as the NSIC Pitcher of the Year in 2006, 2007 and 2008. This is the fifth time SMSU has had a Pitcher of the Year honoree; in addition to Johnson’s four selections, SMSU’s Jamie Benson was named NSIC Pitcher of the Year in 1999.
NSIC Rookie of the Year
#15 Kayla Lewis (DP/U, Jr., R/R, Bettendorf, Iowa / Bettendorf HS / Indian Hills CC)
Winona State University
Kayla Lewis transferred to Winona State this season and started all 50 games for the Warriors. Playing primarily designated player and first base, Lewis was third in the NSIC in all games with a .416 batting average and .470 on base percentage. She was eighth in the league in hits with 62 and fifth in doubles with 14. She put together a 23 game hitting streak during the season and had 16 multiple hit games. In NSIC only games, Lewis hit .346 with 14 RBI and one home run.
NSIC Coach of the Year
Gretta Melsted, Augustana College
Gretta Melsted earned 2009 NSIC Coach of the Year honors after leading Augustana to a runner-up finish in the NSIC standings. The Vikings, picked to finish seventh in the Preseason Coaches Poll, finished second to conference champion Southwest Minnesota State by just one-half game. It is Melsted’s first Coach of the Year award in her six seasons as a collegiate head coach.
Now in her third season at Augustana, Melsted fielded a young squad in 2009 with only 3 seniors and 1 junior on the roster. With as many as 5 true freshmen in the starting lineup, the Vikings opened the season 1-11 after 2 weeks of play. But since then the Vikings are 28-10 entering the NSIC Tournament. She has a 62-72 record at Augustana, while her career record stands at 143-163.
Prior to Augustana, Melsted served as the head softball coach at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo., for three seasons. She guided the Wildcats to a pair of appearances in the NAIA Region V Tournament in 2004 and 2006. The 2004 squad finished third at the tournament. Culver-Stockton won the 2004 Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament championship after finishing fourth in the HAAC during the regular season.
Melsted, an Albert Lea, Minn., native, earned a bachelor of arts degree in history from Carleton in 1998 and a master of education in administration from William Woods in 2003.
| 2009 All-Conference First Team | |||||
# |
Name | Pos. |
Yr. |
School | Hometown |
28 |
Traci Fransen | 3B |
So. |
Augustana | Jackson, Minn. |
26 |
Ally Rutherford | SS |
Sr. |
Augustana | Omaha, Neb. |
4 |
Anna Bjorlin | 2B |
Jr. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Hermantown, Minn. |
24 |
Abby Brundidge | DP |
Jr. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Nekoosa, Wis. |
9 |
Dre Brunskill | C |
Jr. |
University of Mary | Valley Center, Calif. |
22 |
Libbie Reichling | SS |
Jr. |
Minnesota State | Johnston, Iowa |
4 |
Amanda Burkhart | RF |
Sr. |
SMSU | Omaha, Neb. |
21 |
Amanda Johnson | P |
Sr |
SMSU | Fremont, Neb. |
20 |
Amanda Tucci | 1B |
Sr. |
SMSU | Oakdale, Minn. |
17 |
Katie Goetzinger | P |
So. |
Wayne State | Harlan, Iowa |
12 |
Amy Sandstrom | CF |
Jr. |
Wayne State | Omaha, Neb. |
1 |
Terra Halron | RF |
Sr. |
Winona State | Green Bay, Wis. |
15 |
Kayla Lewis | U |
Jr. |
Winona State | Bettendorf, Iowa |
22 |
Stacey Struzynski | P |
So. |
Winona State | Homewood, Ill. |
3 |
Amanda Wilhelm | 2B |
Sr. |
Winona State | LaCrosse, Wis. |
2009 All-Conference Second Team |
|||||
# |
Name | Pos. |
Yr. |
School | Hometown |
8 |
Chelsey Durland | P |
Fr. |
Augustana | Maple Plain, Minn. |
16 |
Britt Stewart | U |
Fr. |
Augustana | Minnetonka, Minn. |
10 |
Mara Johnson | 2B |
Sr. |
Bemidji State | Bemidji, Minn. |
3 |
Katie Anderson | OF |
Fr. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Mendota Heights, Minn. |
5 |
Calli Brennan | 3B |
Fr. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Mendota Heights, Minn. |
22 |
Jamie Lindboe | OF |
Fr. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Eagan, Minn. |
16 |
Stephanie Schmikla | P |
So. |
Concordia-St. Paul | Madison, Wis. |
9 |
Maegan Lunn | SS |
Sr. |
University of Mary | Murrieta, Calif. |
23 |
Kristin Danielson | U |
Jr. |
Minnesota Duluth | Mounds View, Minn. |
18 |
Casey Moore | OF |
So. |
Minnesota Duluth | Woodbury, Minn. |
26 |
Myriam Trepanier | CF |
Sr. |
Minnesota Duluth | Belle Chasse, Quebec |
16 |
Abby Morris | CF |
Jr. |
Minnesota State | Urbandale, Iowa |
9 |
Natalie Spicer | 3B |
So. |
Minnesota State | Minnetonka, Minn. |
3 |
Kari Sagehorn | P/OF/DP |
Sr. |
MSU Moorhead | Maple Grove, Minn. |
21 |
Lizzy Dwyer | U |
Jr. |
St. Cloud State | Kalispell, Mont. |
20 |
Melanie Upchurch | OF |
So |
St. Cloud State | Waterloo, Iowa |
21 |
Kami Appelt | 3B |
Sr. |
Upper Iowa | Marysville, Calif. |
1 |
Blaire Kuhl | 2B |
So. |
Wayne State | Logan, Iowa |
4 |
Mollie Bjelland | CF |
So. |
Winona State | Grantsburg, Wis. |
2 |
Annie Stuedemann | LF |
Jr. |
Winona State | Mattawan, Mich. |
| 2009 NSIC Player of the Year | |||||
| Amanda Burkhart, Sr., RF, Southwest Minnesota State | |||||
| 2009 NSIC Pitcher of the Year | |||||
| Amanda Johnson, Sr., P, Southwest Minnesota State | |||||
| 2009 NSIC Rookie of the Year | |||||
| Kayla Lewis, Jr., DP/U, Winona State | |||||
| 2009 NSIC Coach of the Year | |||||
| Gretta Melsted, Augustana College | |||||
NCAA Central Region Softball Rankings
April 29, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released this week’s Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of April 27.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
Last Week |
|
| 1 | Winona State | 33-11 |
28-9 |
1 |
| 2 | Metro State | 36-10 |
36-10 |
2 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 35-14 |
35-14 |
3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 34-11 |
24-9 |
4 |
| 5 | Wayne State | 34-17 |
29-14 |
5 |
| 6 | CSU Pueblo | 28-16 |
28-16 |
6 |
| 7 | Regis | 28-23 |
28-23 |
7 |
| 8 | Concordia-St. Paul | 33-19 |
23-13 |
8 |
| 9 | Adams State | 22-13 |
22-13 |
10 |
| 10 | Mesa State | 23-17 |
23-17 |
9 |
Dropped out: None
SMSU Conference Champs! Johnson Pitches Mustangs Past Concordia
April 28, 2009 | Box Scores
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Amanda Johnson tossed a pair of complete games to lead Southwest Minnesota State to sweep over Concordia University, St. Paul and help the Mustangs to their fourth straight Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference title and fifth in the last six years Tuesday night in St. Paul, Minn.
Amanda Burkhart hit her 16th home run of the season and Kristin Braden belted a solo shot of her own to lead SMSU to a 8-0, five-inning victory over CU in game one, and the Mustangs collected 17 hits to win game two--another five inning affair--10-0.
The conference crown now entitles the Mustangs to home-field advantage for this weekend's NSIC tournament. Pairings and game times will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.
SMSU finished the regular season to 29-19, 21-5 NSIC, while CU drops to 33-21, 15-9 NSIC.
Amanda Johnson was relentless in the circle for the Mustangs, tossing two complete games, striking out 17 CU batters and allowing just four hits. She retired the first twelve Golden Bears in game one and had a no hitter brewing heading into the final inning.
SMSU opened game one with a pair of runs when Meaghan Laetsch singled to center field to score Amanda Tucci and Kristin Braden.
Braden led off in the top of the third inning and added to the Mustang lead, using her solo home run to give SMSU a 3-0 advantage. Hits from Amanda Voss, Jessica Paczosa and Andrea Fennern tacked on another four runs to extend SMSU’s lead to 7-0 heading out of the inning.
Looking to implement the mercy rule and end the game after five innings, Burkhart stepped to the plate in what would be the final inning and lined a hard ball over the fence to lengthen the lead to eight for SMSU.
Johnson gave up her only two hits of the game in the bottom half of the fifth inning—those a pair of singles.
SMSU continued its offensive prowess in game two, christening the game with a three-run first inning. Singles from Tucci and Kiley Peterson drove in two runs, while Voss drew a walk to score the other.
Christine Borowiak doubled to left field in the top of the third inning and another Peterson single scored a pair runs to stretch the Mustang lead to 5-0.
But it was a five-run sixth inning that allowed SMSU to cut the second game short, too, and clinch the conference title.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 11
April 27, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#26 Myriam Trepanier
OF, 5-8, Sr.,
St-Michel-de-Bellechasse, QUE
CEGEP Levis-Lauzon HS
Minnesota Duluth
Myriam Trepanier collected 16 hits in 26 at bats for a .615 batting average while helping the Bulldogs go 6-2 in eight games last week. She added three home runs, scored 11 times, drove in 11 runs and compiled a 1.000 slugging percentage. Trepanier, who has hit safely in each of the past 12 games, holds down the No. 1 spot on the UMD hitting charts with a .425 average.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#3 Breanna Milnes
P. Sr.. R/R
Morrison, Ill.
Morrison HS
Kirkwood CC
Northern State
Breanna Milnes finished off her NSIC career with a trio of solid outings for the Wolves. The senior went 3-0 with three complete game appearances and one shut-out. Milnes notched 15 strikeouts on the week while issuing just one walk, her first in the last eight games. In fact, Milnes, in 23 total appearances on the season, has issued just 13 free passes while striking out 97 batters. For the week she posted a 3.43 ERA allowing 8 runs on19 hits in 21 innings of work and holding her opponent batting average to .232 in her three games.
CU's Bjorlin Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA DII National Player of the Week
April 22, 2009 | NFCA Release
Anna Bjorlin of Concordia, St. Paul and Megan Leonard of Central Missouri have been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week, the NFCA announced on Wednesday. Both student-athletes have been honored for their performances during the week ending April 19, 2009.
Anna Bjorlin had an impressive week at the plate for Concordia University, St. Paul, hitting .773 with 17 hits in 22 at-bats. She had three doubles, a triple and a home run in her streak for a 1.136 slugging percentage and a .783 on-base percentage.
On Sunday against the University of Mary, the Hermantown, Minn., native set a new Concordia single-game hits record, going 5-for-5 with four singles and a three-run home run. She was also perfect at the plate against Upper Iowa, going 4-for-4 with three singles and a double, and a 3-for-3 game against Northern State with two singles, a triple and a walk. After going hitless in the Golden Bears first game of the week, Bjorlin was put out just two additional times through five remaining games. She put up multiple hits in each of the last five games, helping Concordia to a 6-0 league record on the week. She also stole five bases in as many attempts and led the team with nine RBI.
Central Missouri’s Megan Leonard tied the NCAA Division II record for consecutive scoreless innings pitched last week, adding 14 innings to her record 83-2/3 scoreless streak before allowing a leadoff home run on Saturday against Washburn. For the week, Leonard twirled 21.0 innings, striking out 26 while walking two and allowing one run for a 0.33 ERA.
The Prudy, Mo., native was just one out shy of setting a new NCAA Division II record for consecutive scoreless innings. Her bid for the record culminated with a three-hit shutout at Truman State on Wednesday, striking out seven in the 3-0 win. On Friday against Emporia State, Leonard twirled another three-hit shutout, striking out nine with one walk. Despite giving up the leadoff home run on Saturday against Washburn, Leonard was the winning pitcher in the Jennies 5-1 victory, striking out 10 with one walk. She leads the nation with an 0.41 ERA and is second in strikeouts per seven innings at 12.48.
NCAA Central Region Softball Rankings
April 22, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released this week’s Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of April 20.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
Last Week |
|
| 1 | Winona State | 31-9 |
26-7 |
1 |
| 2 | Metro State | 32-8 |
32-8 |
2 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 30-13 |
30-13 |
3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 31-10 |
21-8 |
4 |
| 5 | Wayne State | 31-14 |
26-11 |
5 |
| 6 | CSU Pueblo | 26-12 |
26-12 |
6 |
| 7 | Regis | 26-18 |
26-18 |
7 |
| 8 | Concordia-St. Paul | 31-15 |
21-9 |
8 |
| 9 | Mesa State | 21-15 |
21-15 |
10 |
| 10 | Adams State | 16-11 |
16-11 |
9 |
Dropped out: None
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 10
April 20, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Co-Player of the Week
#04 Anna Bjorlin
IF, 5-4, Jr., R R
Hermantown, Minn.
Hermantown HS
Concordia-St. Paul
Bjorlin was virtually unstoppable through six NSIC games played last week, batting .773 with 17 hits in 22 at-bats. She had three doubles, a triple and a home run in her torrid streak, putting up a 1.136 slugging percentage and a .783 on-base percentage. On Sunday against the University of Mary, Bjorlin set a new CU single game record with five hits (5-5), including four singles and a three-run bomb. Further perfect batting performances came against Upper Iowa as she went 4-of-4 with three singles and a double and a 3-for-3 game against Northern State with two singles, a triple and a walk. Bjorlin put up multiple hits in each of the last five games played, helping the Golden Bears go 6-0 in league action and improve their standing in the NSIC. She also stole 5-of-5 bases and led the team with nine RBI.
NSIC Co-Player of the Week
#4 Amanda Burkhart
RF, 5-6, Sr., R/R
Omaha, Neb.
Millard South
SMSU
Burkhart had a mammoth performance this past week for SMSU, crushing five home runs and going 18 for 26 at the plate for a .692 batting average to lead the Mustangs to a perfect 8-0 record. The senior hit three home runs on Sunday, including a grand slam, in a doubleheader sweep of Minnesota, Crookston, moving her into a tie for the No. 1 spot in career homeruns with 28; she is tied with teammate Amanda Tucci. She also set the SMSU single-season home run record on Sunday when she recorded her 12th of the season. On the week, Burkhart and the Mustangs also picked up wins against No. 23 Minnesota State, Augustana and Minnesota State Moorhead. Other week totals for the right fielder included seven runs, 18 RBIs and a sparkling 1.346 slugging percentage. She also had a pair of doubles to go along with her five home runs. This marks the second time this season Burkhart has earned this award.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#17 Katie Goetzinger
RHP, So.,
Harlan, Iowa
Harlan HS
Wayne State
Goetzinger went 5-0 in five appearances during the week with a 0.72 ERA. In 39 innings pitched, she recorded 49 strikeouts, allowing just four runs and 28 hits with 49 K’s and just eight walks. She set a new WSC single game record with 16 strikeouts on Sunday in a 5-1 eight inning win at Bemidji State. In that same game, she also belted a grand slam to support her cause. Last Wednesday, Goetzinger had 10 strikeouts and pitched a seven-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over #22 Nebraska-Omaha to become the single season strikeout leader at Wayne State.This marks the fourth time this season Goetzinger has earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors.
NCAA Central Region Softball Rankings
April 15, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released this week’s Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of April 13.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
Last Week |
|
| 1 | Winona State | 28-8 |
23-6 |
2 |
| 2 | Metro State | 30-8 |
30-8 |
1 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 26-13 |
26-13 |
3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 26-7 |
16-5 |
4 |
| 5 | Wayne State | 25-12 |
20-9 |
6 |
| 6 | CSU Pueblo | 22-12 |
22-12 |
5 |
| 7 | Regis | 26-18 |
26-18 |
7 |
| 8 | Concordia-St. Paul | 25-15 |
15-9 |
9 |
| 9 | Adams State | 15-10 |
15-10 |
8 |
| 10 | Mesa State | 17-15 |
17-15 |
NR |
Dropped out: #10 Upper Iowa
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 9
April 13, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#2 Annie Stuedemann
OF, Jr.
Mattawan, Mich.
Matawan HS
Winona State
Stuedemann played in all six games for the Warriors, who went 5-1, finishing with a .429 batting average on nine hits in 21 atbats. She scored seven runs and drove in seven runs to go with a double and three home runs. That gave her a .905 slugging percentage and a .455 on base percentage. She also handled all five of her total chances flawlessly. This marks the second time this season Stuedemann has been named NSIC Player of the Week.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#17 Katie Goetzinger
RHP, So.,
Harlan, Iowa
Harlan HS
Wayne State
Goetzinger helped WSC post six shutouts during the week by going 4-0 in five appearances with one save and a 0.00 ERA. She pitched four complete games, working 26 1/3 innings with 36 strikeouts and only three walks during the week while allowing just 11 hits. She was one strike away from her third no-hitter of the season on Saturday before settling for a one-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 11-0 win over Northern State. She then tossed a three-hit shutout, her 10th of the season, with 11 strikeouts in the second game vs. Northern State, a 2-0 WSC win. This marks the third time this season Goetzinger has earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors.
NCAA Central Region Softball Rankings
April 8, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released this week’s Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of April 6.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
Last Week |
|
| 1 | Metro State | 28-6 |
28-6 |
2 |
| 2 | Winona State | 23-7 |
18-5 |
1 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 22-13 |
22-13 |
3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 21-6 |
11-4 |
4 |
| 5 | CSU Pueblo | 20-12 |
20-12 |
5 |
| 6 | Wayne State | 19-12 |
14-9 |
6 |
| 7 | Regis | 23-15 |
23-15 |
7 |
| 8 | Adams State | 13-8 |
13-8 |
8 |
| 9 | Concordia-St. Paul | 20-14 |
10-8 |
9 |
| 10 | Upper Iowa | 12-10 |
7-6 |
NR |
Dropped out: #10 Minnesota Duluth
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 8
April 6, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#4 Amanda Burkhart
RF, 5-6, Sr., R/R
Omaha, Neb.
Millard South
SMSU
Burkhart was stellar at the plate for SMSU last week, batting .750 and smashing three homeruns as the Mustangs opened the NSIC season 4-0. The senior nailed her three homeruns in Thursday’s doubleheader with Northern State, which SMSU won 11-0 and 10-0. Burkhart was 3 for 4 against the Wolves and 3 for 4 in SMSU’s games with Mary the next day. Week totals for the senior include a 6 for 8 performance at the plate, eight runs, seven RBIs and a 1.875 slugging percentage. With her three homerun performance, Burkhart now has a team-best six bombs on the season.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#8 Chelsey Durland
P/UT, Fr., R/R,
Maple Plain, Minn.
Orono HS
Augustana College
Durland had a banner week in the pitcher’s circle for Augustana. Durland posted a 3-0 record as the Vikings went 7-0 for the week, including a 3-0 mark in the NSIC to take over first place with a 5-0 record. Durland pitched 3 2/3 innings of relief to pick up a win in Augie’s 3-2 win over Upper Iowa on Wednesday. On Thursday, Durland tossed a 1-hitter with 6 strikeouts in an 11-0 5-inning win over Mayville State. On Saturday, Durland outdueled Wayne State’s Katie Goetzinger to help Augustana to a 6-1 win. For the week, Durland scattered 11 hits in 15.2 innings of work. She allowed just 1 earned run for a 0.45 ERA. She walked only 3 and struck out 14 hitters.
WSU Remains #1 In Central Region
April 1, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released this week’s Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of March 30.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
Last Week |
|
| 1 | Winona State | 19-5 |
14-3 |
1 |
| 2 | Metro State | 26-6 |
26-6 |
2 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 20-13 |
20-13 |
3 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 18-5 |
8-3 |
4 |
| 5 | CSU Pueblo | 20-10 |
20-10 |
7 |
| 6 | Wayne State | 17-11 |
12-8 |
5 |
| 7 | Regis | 23-15 |
23-15 |
6 |
| 8 | Adams State | 13-8 |
13-8 |
8 |
| 9 | Concordia-St. Paul | 18-14 |
8-8 |
9 |
| 10 | Minnesota Duluth | 12-12 |
7-8 |
NR |
Dropped out: #10 Upper Iowa
WSU's Wilhelm Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA DII National Player of the Week
April 1, 2009 | NFCA Release
Winona State senior Amanda Wilhelm and Lock Haven senior Kristin Erb have been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the NFCA announced on Wednesday. The student-athletes were honored for their performances for the week of March 23-29, 2009.
Amanda Wilhelm helped Winona State open its Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season with a pair of wins over Northern State University and extend its winning streak to eight games. Wilhelm, who was also named the NSIC Player of the Week, hit .667 last week, going 10-for-15 with a double and five home runs.
The La Crosse, Wis., native scored eight runs with 10 RBI and finished with a 1.733 slugging percentage. She hit home runs in four of her team’s six games on the week and did not strike out while walking five times for a .750 on-base percentage. Defensively, Wilhelm was perfect on 20 chances.
Kristin Erb led Lock Haven to a perfect week with Erb going 4-0 in the circle while pitching in all of her team’s games. She kicked off PSAC Central play with a perfect game against Mansfield, striking out 13 over six innings (9-0 win). In the nightcap, the Lady Eagles won 2-1 with Erb pitching a one-hitter, striking out nine.
The Reading, Pa., native picked up both wins over Mercyhurst on Saturday, striking out 12 over the two games. For the week, she struck out 34 batters and recorded an 0.26 ERA en route to PSAC Central Pitcher of the Week honors. Erb is in position to tie and break the NCAA Division II record for career victories, a mark currently held by Barry head coach Danielle Penner, who pitched at California (PA) from 1995-98.
Winona State moved up four spots to No. 9, while Lock Haven zipped up three spots to No. 6 in this week’s NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 7
March 30, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#3 Amanda Wilhelm
2B, Sr.,
La Crosse, Wis.
Central HS
Winona State
Amanda Wilhelm had a big hand in helping WSU win six games last week. She batted .667 with 10 hits in 15 at bats, scored 8 runs, had a double and banged out 5 home runs. She also drove in 10 runs and finished with a 1.733 slugging percentage. She did not strikeout in any of the games and walked five times to total a .750 on base percentage. She also was perfect in the field, handling all 20 attempts she had.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#17 Katie Goetzinger
RHP, So.,
Harlan, Iowa
Harlan HS
Wayne State
Katie Goetzinger struck out 32 batters in 19 2/3 innings pitched that included a perfect game in Saturday’s 8-0 win over Minnesota, Crookston. She allowed just six hits and two runs during the week, going 2-1 with a 0.71 ERA. On Wednesday, she struck out 12 batters in a 2-1 nine inning loss at #23 UNO. Saturday, she had 10 strikeouts in just four innings in the 7-1 win over Minnesota, Crookston where she teamed up with Brooke Vollmer and Amber Baird on a no-hitter. She left the first game due to suffering an ankle injury after fouling a pitch off her ankle batting. Goetzinger came back with a heavily taped ankle in the second game and pitched a perfect game with nine strikeouts in a 8-0 win. It was her second perfect game of the season and second time she has been named NSIC Pitcher of the Week.
WSU Remains #1 In Central Region
March 25, 2009 | NCAA Release
INDIANAPOLIS -The NCAA Division II Softball Committee has released the first Division II softball regional polls. The top 10 teams in each region are listed in rank order with records as of March 23.
| Central Region | Division II Rec |
In-Region Rec |
|
| 1 | Winona State | 15-5 |
10-3 |
| 2 | Metro State | 24-4 |
24-4 |
| 3 | Colo. School of Mines | 19-12 |
19-12 |
| 4 | Minnesota State | 18-5 |
8-3 |
| 5 | Wayne State | 18-5 |
8-3 |
| 6 | Regis | 20-12 |
20-12 |
| 7 | CSU Pueblo | 16-10 |
16-10 |
| 8 | Adams State | 9-6 |
9-6 |
| 9 | Concordia-St. Paul | 16-12 |
6-6 |
| 10 | Upper Iowa | 7-7 |
2-3 |
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 6
March 23, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#28 Jennifer Radley
1B, So.,
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines East HS
Wayne State
Jennifer Radley hit .471 (8-17) in eight games with three home runs, seven RBI and a 1.059 slugging percentage as the Wilcats went 5-3 over the week. Radley was 6-for-8 and homered in three straight games over the weekend at the Missouri Western Tournament.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#2 Christy Loan
P, 5-3, Jr.,
Oxford, Iowa
Clear Creek Amana HS
Upper Iowa
Christy Loan posted a 3-0 record last week for the Peacocks. The junior right hander recorded an ERA of 1.27 in 22 innings of work. She pitched three complete games including an 8-inning shutout of Pitt State. Loan allowed four earned runs on 25 hits over the week while striking out seven. She held her opponents batting average to .287 in the three wins.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 5
March 16, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#18 Brittany Greenwood
3B, Fr., Logan, Iowa
Logan-Magnolia HS
Wayne State
Brittany Greenwood hit .552 in 10 games during Wayne State’s spring break trip to Florida, going 16 for 29 with two triples, three doubles and seven RBI’s with 10 runs scored. She went 3 for 4 with five RBI’s, including a three-run triple on Tuesday in a 8-0 win over Felician (NJ) and was 3 for 3 with three runs scored in 11-0 win over West Liberty State (W.Va.) on Wednesday.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#7 Kendra Huettl
RPP, Fr., R/R
North Mankato, Minn.
West HS
Minnesota State
Kendra Huettl played superbly in Florida last week, posting a 7-0 record in seven starts to go with a 0.89 earned run average. She struck out 40 batters in 47 innings of work while yielding just 10 walks and holding opponents to a .174 batting average. Six of her games were complete games and she threw two shutouts and combined to throw a third.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 4
March 10, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#10 Mara Johnson
2B, 5-6, Sr., R/R
Bemidji, Minn.
Bemidji State
Mara Johnson went 11-for-21 (.524) with 12 runs batted in and eight runs scored to lead the Beavers to a 5-1 record. She has also led Bemidji State to a current five-game win streak, which is the longest since 1999. Johnson blasted three home runs, breaking BSU’s career home run record previously held by Kelly Price (99-00). With her two home run performance in the second game against Northwestern (MN) College Saturday, she hit her 10th career homer to tie the record, and broke it with a 3-for-4, four RBI performance in the second game against Penn State Beaver Sunday. Johnson has three three-hit games and two four-RBI games during the current road trip.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#22 Stacey Struzynski
P, So.,
Homewood, Ill.
Homewood-Flossmoor HS
Winona State
Stacey Struzynski went undefeated in three outings. All three wins came by way of complete-game shutouts. She pitched 21 innings, struck out an amazing 36, walked only five and allowed an opponent batting average of .149. She now has a streak of four consecutive shutout wins and has five straight games where she has struck out ten or more batters.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 3
March 3, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#3 Amanda Umhoefer
OF, R/R,R-Fr.,
North Mankato, Minn.
Mankato West HS
Minnesota State
Amanda Umhoefer batted a scorching 8-of-11 from the plate for a team-high .727 batting average. She drove in three runs while scoring seven and had three doubles. She slugged 1.273 for the weekend while owning an on base percentage of .786. She also was 1-for-1 in stolen base attempts as the Mavericks went 4-0 on the weekend at the Huskie Dome Invite.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#26 Brit Krieg
P, R/R Fr.,
Hudson, Wis
Hudson HS
St. Cloud State
Brit Krieg tossed a no-hitter in a 4-0 game-two win over Northern State on Friday, Feb. 27, marking the first no-hitter of her young collegiate career. Just two days later, Krieg threw a perfect six innings straight against Bemidji State, but a leadoff single in the top of the seventh ruined her bid at a perfect game. Still, once on first, the Beaver runner was stranded as Krieg retired the next three batters in order to give the Huskies the 2-0 win. The rookie went 3-1 on the weekend, striking out 13 opponents in 22.2 innings pitched while garnering a 1.85 ERA.
WSU's Stuedemann Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA DII National Player of the Week
February 25, 2009 | NFCA Release
Winona State’s Annie Stuedemann and Nova Southeastern’s Dani Caron have been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for the week ending February 22, the NFCA announced on Wednesday.
Annie Stuedemann, a junior outfielder from Mattawan, Mich., hit .625 for the week, going 15-for-24 as Winona State went 5-1 to win the RMAC/NSIC Softball Crossover Tournament. In Winona State’s 8-0 victory over No. 18 Colorado School of Mines, Stuedemann had three hits, two runs scored, four RBI a double and a home run. She was named to the All-Tournament Team with nine runs scored, 11 RBI, four doubles, two triples and a home run on the week.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 2
February 24, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#2 Annie Stuedemann
OF, So.
Mattawan, Mich.
Matawan HS
Winona State
Winona State won the team title in the NSIC /RMAC Softball Crossover Tournament thanks to the help of outfielder Annie Stuedemann. She hit .625 in the six games WSU played, going 15-24 with 11 runs batted in, nine runs scored, four doubles, two triples and one home run. She was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts over the weekend. The Warriors, which finished in a four-way tie for the tournament championship with a 5-1 record, were named tournament champion by virtue of having the most difficult schedule.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#17 Katie Goetzinger
RHP, So.,
Harlan, Iowa
Harlan HS
Wayne State
Katie Goetzinger was a perfect 4-0 over the weekend with a 2.05 ERA, notching 32 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings pitched. She pitched a complete game five hit shutout on Sunday with eight strikeouts in a 2-0 win over Metro State and had 10 strikeouts in a complete game 6-5 win over UC-Colorado Springs on Saturday. She was named to the all-tournament team for her efforts. The Wildcats went 5-1 at the RMAC/NSIC Crossover tournament.
NSIC Softball Weekly Release No. 1
February 17, 2009 | Full Release
NSIC Player of the Week
#2 Samantha Antolin
3B, So.,
Campbell, Calif.
Westmont HS
University of Mary
Samantha Antolin had a tremendous opening weekend for the Marauders. Moved to the hot corner after covering center field last season, the sophomore hit .563 with a .938 slugging percentage and an on base percentage of .632 in five games at the Husky Dome Classic. Antolin was 9-of-16 at the plate with three walks and no strikeouts. She leads the team with five runs scored, three doubles, a home run and five RBIs. In the season opener against host SCSU, Antolin was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. She ended with a 3-for-3 performance against New York Institute of Technology.
NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#16 Stephanie Schmikla
RHP, 5-5, So., R/R
Madison, Wis.
McFarland HS
Concordia-St. Paul
Stephanie Schmikla made three appearances last weekend, pitching two complete game wins, marking a save and posting an ERA of 1.29. Schmikla did not give up more than one earned run in any appearance of the weekend, holding #13 Lewis University to a single run over seven innings. She also pitched a one-run complete game against St. Cloud State. On the weekend, Schmikla fanned six batters and held opponents to a .207 batting average.
Winona State Picked in Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll
January 29, 2009 | Full Release
St. Paul, Minn. - Winona State was picked to win the NSIC by the league coaches in their preseason poll for the first time since the 2004 season. The Warriors, who have been picked second in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll the last three seasons, recorded 175 points and eight first place votes to earn this year’s honor. The Warriors are coming off a 38-15 season in 2008 and were runners-up in the NCAA Division II North Central Region Tournament to Emporia State. Emporia State went on to place second in the final eight portion of the national tournament. WSU finished off the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular-seconds with a second-place record of 14-4, but went on to sweep through the NSIC Tournament undefeated and earned an automatic berth in the region tournament.
Winona State has played back-to-back years in the region tournament and has been in the tournament four times in the last six years.
New league member Minnesota State University, Mankato barely nipped Southwest Minnesota State 165 to 164 for second place in the poll. Both teams were involved in the NCAA Regional last season.
The NSIC Softball season will kickoff on Friday, February 13th when St. Cloud State hosts NY Institute of Tech. in a 5:00 p.m. double dip.
2009 NSIC Softball Pre-Season Coaches' Poll1 |
Winona State (8) | 175 |
2 |
Minnesota State (3) | 165 |
3 |
SMSU (3) | 164 |
4 |
Concordia-St. Paul | 135 |
5 |
Wayne State | 128 |
6 |
Minnesota Duluth | 127 |
7 |
Augustana | 107 |
8 |
St. Cloud State | 106 |
9 |
U-Mary | 93 |
10 |
MSU Moorhead | 78 |
11 |
Upper Iowa | 57 |
12 |
Northern State | 52 |
13 |
Bemidji State | 43 |
14 |
Minnesota, Crookston | 26 |
| First place votes in ( ) | ||
NSIC Preseason Player of the Year
#24 Abby Brundidge
IF/OF, Jr., R/R
Neekoosa, Wis.
Assumption HS
Concordia-St. Paul
Brundidge is a two-time NSIC All-Conference player. In 2008 she finished with the second highest batting average in the NSIC at .388, which is the fourth highest single season average in CU history. Her .579 slugging percentage was 4th best in the NSIC. Her 15 doubles were third best in the NSIC in 2008 and tied her for the second best-ever mark at Concordia. She had a team high 59 hits and drove in 37 RBI, scored 28 runs and put together a 17-game hitting streak. Brundidge currently leads the CU career record book for slugging percentage (.512) and is second for batting average (.354)..
NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year
#21 Amanda Johnson
RHP, Sr., R/R
Fremont, Neb.
Papillion-LaVista HS
Southwest Minnesota State
Johnson has been selected as the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive season. She enters her senior season ranked third in career saves in NCAA Division II history with 13. Johnson ranks first in SMSU history in lowest opponents’ batting average, fewest walks per seven innings, strikeouts per seven innings, wins, saves, appearances, games started, complete games, games finished, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts. In 2008 Johnson earned numerous honors in one of the best seasons an SMSU pitcher has ever had. She was named Daktronics North Central Region Pitcher of the Year, earned first team All-North Central Region honors from Daktronics and Louisville Slugger/NFCA, was named both NSIC Pitcher of the Year and first team All-NSIC for the third consecutive season, she led SMSU in virtually every pitching category, going 28-6 with five saves and a 1.30 ERA in 43 appearances with 27 starts. She had 278 strikeouts in 242.0 innings, allowing just 25 bases on balls and 185 hits. Her ERA was the second-lowest in school history and opponents’ batting average was the third-lowest. She led the NSIC in conference games in strikeouts (112), wins (12), saves (3) and appearances (17) Johnson set the SMSU single game record for strikeouts with 17 in a 4-1 win over Central Missouri on March 10, 2008 (the 17-strikeout performance was the third-most strikeouts ever in an NCAA II seven-inning game.
