Rochester, MN-
Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) softball student-athletes throughout Minnesota have taken back to the field after a long layoff, and they are proving that having more than a year off has not left any rust behind. Teams are excited to be playing and are experiencing great success in the early season. With the 2021 NJCAA softball season underway, MCAC softball coaches share their thoughts and predictions for the 2021 season.
Minnesota College Athletic Conference Softball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a North and South division.
North Division coaches selected Rainy River Community College as the likely team to finish atop the division. The Voyageurs return a pair of hometown pitchers in Marissa Kerry (International Falls, MN) and Mariah Leahy (International Falls, MN) whose experience should lead the team to great success this spring. In the South Division, St. Cloud Technical and Community College was picked narrowly over Anoka-Ramsey Community College to finish the season with the division championship.
MCAC Softball will see new head coaches at Northland Community and Technical College (Amanda Lara), Mesabi Range College (Tamara Moore), and Minnesota West Community and Technical College (Jeff Jager). Dieter Humbert (Rainy River Community College – 16), Steve King (Minnesota State – Fergus Falls – 12 years), Dave Alto (Anoka-Ramsey Community College – 12 years), Greg Thorstad (St. Cloud Technical and Community College – 11 years), and Steve Rannikar (Hibbing Community College – 11 years) each bring over a decade of veteran experience to the conference.
Read on for the predicted order of finish in each division and for season previews of the teams who comprise the North and South Division ranks of the MCAC. Be sure to follow @MCACSports and @NJCAASoftball on Twitter for the latest in MCAC and NJCAA two-year college softball news, rankings and season information.
For the MCAC Softball home page, click here or go to https://mcacsports.org/sports/sball/index.
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021 Spring Softball Preview and Coaches Poll
North Division |
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MCAC North No. 1 Rainy River Community College |
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(Marissa Kerry, International Falls, MN, RHP) |
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(Maddison Lehto, Roseville, MN, 3B) Head Coach: Dieter Humbert, 16 years at Rainy River Community College
Overall Record: 322-221
Coaching Staff: Roger Hasbargen, Assistant Coach; Mike Leahy, Volunteer Assistant Coach
Top returning players:
Mariah Leahy, International Falls, MN, RHP
Taylor Sears, International Falls, MN, OF/C
Marissa Kerry, International Falls, MN, RHP
Maddison Lehto, Roseville, MN, 3B
Top incoming/new players:
Jazlyn Arreola, El Paso, TX, RHP/1B
Val Sandoval, Laredo, TX, 2B/C
Kaydin Bruner, Pewaukee, WI, SS
Coach Humbert on Voyageurs pitching in 2021: "We return two pitchers from last year, Marissa Kerry and Mariah Leahy. Both bring experience and talent."
Coach Humbert on his Voyageurs offense in 2021: "This is a big unknown at this point. I believe we have some players who will hit for power but consistency and table setting will be essential for overall success."
Coach Humbert on his Voyageurs squad: "We are excited just to be playing after losing last year."
MCAC North No. 2
Central Lakes College
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(Jenna Gratz, Oregon, WI, P/INF) |
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(Sarah Kossan, Motley MN, P/C/OF) Head Coach: Ray Austin, 5 years at Central Lakes College
Overall Record: 80-48
Coaching Staff: Ashly Erickson, Assistant Coach; Carlie Sweet, Volunteer Assistant Coach; Linsey Jourdan, Volunteer Assistant Coach; Donovan Fornal, Trainer
Top returning players:
Jenna Gratz, Oregon, WI, P/IF
Cassidy Zontelli, Brainerd, MN, SS
Sarah Kossan, Motley, MN, P/C/OF
Haley Youngbauer, Verndale, MN, CF
Top incoming/new players:
Addie Sanford, Brainerd, MN, P/IF
Sydnee Johnson, Brainerd, MN, IF
Chloe Munsch, Brainerd, MN, OF
Coach Austin on Raiders pitching for the 2021 season: "We return Jenna Gratz and Sarah Kossan who were in our top 2 last year before COVID hit, and we added Addie Sanford who has looked to insert herself into the rotation as well."
Coach Austin on his Raiders offense in the 2021 season: "Offensively we are solid 1-9 and should be able to run a little bit as needed."
Coach Austin on his Raiders squad: "We are really excited to be given the opportunity to play this year after a year off and are looking to make the best of it."
MCAC North No. 3
Northland Community and Technical College
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(Desiree Lawrence, Champaign, IL, RHP/3B/OF) |
(Abbie Johanneck, Red Lake Falls, MN, 1B/OF)
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Head Coach: Amanda Lara, 1st year at Northland Community and Technical College
Overall Record: 1-4
Coaching Staff: Haley Price, Assistant Coach
Top returning players:
Abbie Johanneck, Red Lake Falls, MN, 1B/OF
Jaymee Tuttle, Eltopia, WA, SS-2B
Desiree Lawrence, Champaign, IL, RHP/3B/OF
Isis Johnson, Dadeville, AL, 3B/OF
Top incoming/new players:
Alexis Huot, Thief River Falls, MN, LHP/2B/OF
Grace Minten, Perham, MN, SS/2B
Justine Pratcshler, Winnipeg, MB, 1B/C
Coach Lara on Pioneers pitching for the 2021 season: "We return RHP Desiree Lawrence who has been working on speed and accuracy during the off-season. We also add 3 additional players to our pitching team which includes LHP Alexis Huot, RHP Hailee Harris, and RHP Shawna Larson. I'm looking forward to the movement that we will be able to bring to the pitcher's mound."
Coach Lara on her Pioneers offense in the 2021 season: "We have a good depth of hitting and speed in our lineup, but we have to be able to be disciplined at the plate. We will need our lead off hitters to do their part and get on base to set the momentum for the rest of the lineup."
Coach Lara on her Pioneers squad: "We're looking forward to getting back in the swing of practicing outside and our conference season starting in a few short weeks. Everyone's season was cut short last year, and we're excited to be getting back to some normalcy. We have a great group of student-athletes and I can't wait to see how they grow together as a team."
MCAC North No. 4
Hibbing Community College
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Head Coach: Steve Rannikar, 11 years at Hibbing Community College
Coaching Staff: Julie Lange, Athletic Trainer
Top returning players:
Athena Dunham, Hill City, MN, C
Gena Mancini, Cherry, MN, RHP
Top incoming/new players:
Kaylyn Bowen, Rush City, MN
Bailey Roscoe, Saul Rapids, MN
Coach Rannikar on Cardinals pitching for the 2021 season: "Back coaching the Cardinals after my second attempt at retiring. COVID hit us hard on our numbers this spring. Fielding 9 players so will need an injury free season."
Coach Rannikar on the Cardinals offense for the 2021 season: "We have some power in our lineup. Will need balanced hitting from the top to the bottom of our order."
Coach Rannikar on his Cardinals squad: "Staying healthy is our priority."
MCAC North No. 5
Mesabi Range College
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(Hailey Aho, 3B) |
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Head Coach: Tamara Moore, 1st year at Mesabi Range College
Overall Record: 0-2
Coaching Staff: Jesse Bennett, Assistant Coach; Dallas Diamond, Videographer
Top returning players:
Hailey Aho, Virginia, MN, 3B
Julia Knapper, Mt. Iron, MN, 1B
Emma Baker, Aurora, MN, P
Top incoming/new players:
Amelia Fritz, Minneapolis, MN, SS
Morgan Malecha, Orr, MN, C
Alani Pettis, Minneapolis, MN, 2B
Coach Moore on Norsemen pitching for the 2021 season: "Emma Baker will be a very solid pitcher for us this season. She has really come into her own during preseason and will help win a lot of games for us this season."
Coach Moore on the Norsemen offense for the 2021 season: "We return some very solid hitting with Hailey Aho and Julia Knapper who are strong hitters and really control the ball well. Freshman Amelia Fritz has the potential to set some hitting records for us as a 1st year player."
Coach Moore on her Norsemen squad: We are a team with 4 players who have never played the sport and are crossing over from women's basketball. They have really picked up the sport quickly and have added some strong athleticism to our core roster."
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2021 Spring Softball Preview and Coaches Poll
South Division
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MCAC South No. 1St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Greg Thorstad, 11 years at St. Cloud Technical and Community College Overall Record: 264-137 Coaching Staff: Ashley Pool, Pitching and Assistant Coach Top returning players: Sam Knudson, Monticello, MN, INF Terri Tretter, Pierz, MN, C Laura Skiba, Pierz, MN, 3B/1B Molly Carnell, Comfrey, MN, RHP/3B Kaija Ludewig, St. Cloud, MN, SS/3B Top incoming/new players: Alayna Manning, Monticello, MN, OF Justice Boyer, Kimball, MN, C/OF Kjerstin Hansen, Tea, SD, RHP/1B Coach Thorstad on the Cyclones pitching in 2021: "We have a solid group of pitchers, and they are excited to get in the circle and compete." Coach Thorstad on his Cyclones offense in 2021: "We believe we have a solid lineup. We look to consistently make it difficult on pitchers by having good at-bats up and down the lineup." Coach Thorstad on his Cyclones squad: "We are excited to play MCAC softball again!"
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MCAC South No. 2Anoka-RamseyCommunity College
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Head Coach: Dave Alto, 12 years at Anoka-Ramsey Community College Overall Record: 190-224 Top returning players: Sunny Strait, Minnetonka, MN, P/1B Top incoming/new players: Emma Bright, Anoka, MN, CF Madison Segler, Little Falls, MN, SS Mckenna Packard, Oak Grove, MN, 3B Coach Alto on Golden Rams pitching in 2021: "We will be OK, but we only have one pitcher so durability will be a concern." Coach Alto on his Golden Rams offense in 2021: "We are young and need to continue to work on getting better every day from 1-9." Coach Alto on his Golden Rams squad: "Very excited to have a season again after missing last year!"
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MCAC South No. 3Rochester Community and Technical College |
(Emma Bright, Anoka, MN, CF)
(Sunny Strait, Minnetonka, MN, P/1B)
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(Torrie Klennert, Dodge Center, MN, C) |
(Carlie Hildebrandt, Stewartville, MN, SS/C) |
Head Coach: Cori Ronnenberg, 4 years at Rochester Community and Technical College
Overall Record: 21-44
Coaching Staff: Kamyn Peterson-Rucker, Assistant Coach; Terry Schmitz, Pitching Coach
Top returning players:
Emma Bartholomew, Rochester, MN, RHP
Haylee Sawyer, Dodge Center, MN, C
Hailee Welsh, Eyota, MN, 3B/SS
Lexi Newsom, LaCrescent, MN, OF
Top incoming/new players:
Carlie Hildebrandt, Stewartville, MN, SS/C
Torrie Klennert, Dodge Center, MN, 1B/P
Beyanna Reyant, Dodge Center, MN, OF
Coach Ronnenberg on the Yellowjackets pitching in 2021: "We return Emma Bartholomew who started out the season last year with 2 wins, and she started out the pre-season going 4-0. We also look to first year LHP Torrie Klennert to step up."
Coach Ronnenberg on her Yellowjackets offense in 2021: "We look to be solid through the lineup with a strong group of returners and incoming players."
Coach Ronnenberg on her Yellowjackets squad: "We are excited to return back to the field after the cancelation of last season. If we stay healthy and no injuries, we look to have another successful season."
MCAC South No. 4
Minnesota State Community and Technical College – Fergus Falls
(Head Coach Steve King returns for his 12th year)
Head Coach: Steve King, 12 years at M State – Fergus Falls
Overall Record: 105-168
Coaching Staff: Monte Fredrickson
Top returning players:
No players return from 2020
Top incoming/new players:
Kenna Kehoe, Morris, MN, 3B/OF
Emma Bartels, New York Mills, MN, SS
Maddy Shjerve, Fergus Falls, MN, P/INF
Coach King on the Spartans pitching in 2021: "We are very inexperienced but it appears we can throw strikes and we do have three pitchers that compete very hard."
Coach King on the Spartans offense in 2021: "We don't have a lot of power, but hopefully we can put the ball in play and run around the bases putting pressure on the other team."
Coach King on his Spartans squad: "We are excited to be back playing!"
MCAC South No. 5
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
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(Head Coach Jeff Jager is in his first season with Minnesota West Softball) |
Head Coach: Jeffrey Jager, 1st year at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Overall Record: 0-0
Coaching Staff: Taylor Lupton and Jordan Kruse
Top returning players:
Alanna Goetzinger, RHP/1B
Stephanie Kazemba, RHP/SS
Grace Suttle, C
Brianne Ihnen, 3B
Emily Wilke, 1B/2B
Top incoming/new players:
Mallory Thorson, CF
Coach Jager on the Bluejays pitching in 2021: "I feel very confident in our pitching staff this season. I believe Alanna and Steph will be able to carry us to some success this season."
Coach Jager on his Bluejays offense in 2021: "We are working every practice to become complete hitters. The girls are working hard and buying into the process."
Coach Jager on his Bluejays squad: "We lost some girls to COVID, so we are working hard with a group of new players. If they can contribute, I believe we can have a successful season."
This release sponsored by:
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.