Rochester, MN-
The 2024 Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) softball season is underway and promises to be another competitive season. The MCAC softball coaches shared their thoughts on the 2024 conference season.
MCAC softball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a North and South division.
North Division coaches selected Central Lakes College as the likely team to finish atop the division. The Raiders return a strong sophomore-laden squad that finished as the runners-up in the North Plains District Tournament last year. In the South Division, St. Cloud Technical and Community College was picked to finish the season as the division champions. The Cyclones have several impact sophomores returning this year who will lead a talented freshmen class.
With Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Minnesota North College Itasca, and Riverland Community College not fielding teams this season, the division titles are up for grabs and coaching will be key as the teams make their run at the post-season. Ray Austin (Central Lakes - 8 years), Greg Thorstad (SCTCC - 13 years), and Steve King (M State - 15 years) are the veteran skippers in the conference and have well over 500 victories between them. Northland Community & Technical College will have a first-year coach in Cassie Berg and Ridgewater College will have a first-year coach in Callie Danielson, while several teams have coaches in their second season.
Read on for the predicted order of finish in each division and for divisional outlooks 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 Conference2024 Softball Preview and Coaches Poll
North Division |
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MCAC North No. 1 Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: Ray Austin, 8 years at Central Lakes College Overall Record: 134-90 Coaching Staff: Carlie Sweet, assistant coach; Sydnee Johnson, assistant coach; Lisa Luehrs, assistant coach; Donovan Tiberg, athletic trainer Top returning players: Gabrielle Dulas, Mayer, MN, C/3B Emma Tautges, Brainerd, MN, P/1B Morgan Majerus, Milica, MN, C/OF Hailey Wright, Nisswa, MN, OF Sophia Laube, Brainerd, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Kaitlyn Geschwill, Pequot Lakes, MN, P Josaphine Witter, Medford, MN, 3B Emma Simon, Annandale, MN, INF Comments from Coach Austin: "CLC has 17 players on the roster so depth will be a strong point in 2024. Strong sophomore leadership and a strong freshman class will be the strength of this year's team."
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MCAC North No. 2 Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Shelby Nosan, 2 years at Minnesota North College - Rainy River Overall Record: 9-23 Coaching Staff: Teah Goulet, assistant coach Top returning players: Zoe Adkins, Homer, AK, RHP Dionne Lopez, Weslaco, TX, CF Cara Polk, Palacious, TX, OF Cyra Polk, Palacious, TX, C Maddie Lowe, International Falls, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Anitza Gutierrez, Laredo, TX, SS Anahi Martinez, Laredo, TX, OF Jaylynn Verrier, Saint Anne, Manitoba, UTL Comments from Coach Nosan: "We are excited about our newcomers and the talent they bring. We are a small roster with some good depth!"
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MCAC North No. 3 Northland Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Cassie Berg, 1 year at Northland Community & Technical College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Craig Johnston, assistant coach Top returning players: Sunny Edin, Newfolden, MN, SS Reese Rustad, Middle River, MN, 1B Jordyn Berhow, Fertile, MN, OF Brooke Glad, Newfolden, MN, C/2B Kennedy Wallace, Warroad, MN, RHP Top incoming/new players: Emilee Tate, Crookston, MN, OF Madysen Nordstrom, Cavalier, ND, 2B/OF Jada Kosmatka, Mayer, MN, OF Comments from Coach Berg: "We have a lot of sophomores this year who are leading our team. A new coach and new players will make for an exciting transition this season."
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MCAC North No. 4 - Tied Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range
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Head Coach: Brad Matuszak, 2 years at Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range Overall Record: 5-15 Coaching Staff: Jesse Bennett, assistant coach Top returning players: Johanna Westby, Eveleth, MN, OF Janie Potts, Virginia, MN, 3B Elizabeth Hey, Cloquet, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Hailey Greenly, Iron, MN, LHP Claire Cushman, Iron, MN, SS Katie Peck, Grand Marais, MN, C Comments from Coach Matuszak: "Looking to ride with Hailey's pitching and sophomore leadership!"
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MCAC North No. 4 - Tied Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Aaron Bender, 2 years at Minnesota North College - Vermilion Overall Record: 4-14 Coaching Staff: Luke Irons, assistant coach Top returning players: Josie Anderson, Hermantown, MN, P/C Kyla Berger, Wheaton, MN, P/OF Makenzie Drache, Pickwick, MN, UTL Top incoming/new players: Lilly Luzovich, Eveleth, MN, 2B Libby Korpi, Pengilly, MN, SS Hannah Simchak, Hurley, WI, 1B Comments from Coach Bender: "We will be able to put up runs with a solid middle of the lineup, but will have to work extra hard on our defense and pitching."
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MCAC North No. 6 Minnesota North College - Hibbing
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Head Coach: Babe Glumack, 2nd year at Minnesota North College - Hibbing Overall Record: 0-12 Coaching Staff: N/A Top returning players: None submitted Top incoming/new players: None submitted Comments from Coach Glumack: No comment submitted.
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2024 Softball Preview and Coaches Poll
South Division
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MCAC South No. 1 St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Greg Thorstad, 13 years at St. Cloud Technical and Community College Overall Record: 354-163 Coaching Staff: Ashley Pool, assistant coach Top returning players: Kylie Winter, Brooten, MN, OF Lexie Tatro, Bemidji, MN, SS/3B Tyra Myers, Browerville, MN, INF Kennedy Biegler, Monticello, MN, C/INF Kaitlynn James, Hoyt Lakes, MN, INF Top incoming/new players: Jordyn Clapp, St. Michael, MN, 1B/LF/RF Jenna Boos, Cold Spring, MN, P/1B Ella Janzen, Aitkin, MN, INF/OF Comments from Coach Thorstad: "We have a good blend of experience and newcomers. Leadership will be important. We will have to play well in all areas of the game to be successful."
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MCAC South No. 2 Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Jaimi Stejskal, 3 years at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: Coaching Staff: Top returning players: None submitted Top incoming/new players: None submitted Comments from Coach Stejskal: No comments submitted.
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MCAC South No. 3 Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Callie Danielson, 1st year at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: N/A Top returning players: No one submitted Top incoming/new players: No one submitted Comments from Coach Danielson: No comments submitted.
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MCAC South No. 4 - Tied Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Head Coach: Keith Swenson, 2 years at Minnesota West Community & Technical College Overall Record: 6-9 Coaching Staff: N/A Top returning players: No one submitted Top incoming/new players: No one submitted Comments from Coach Swenson: No comments submitted.
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MCAC South No. 4 - Tied Minnesota State Community & Technical College |
Head Coach: Steve King, 15 years at Minnesota State – Fergus Falls Overall Record: Coaching Staff: N/A Top returning players: Kaisa Jones, Felton, MN, C Kaylee Flom, Ada, MN, RHP Alivia Haas, Madison, MN, OF Top incoming/new players: Sydney Schaefer, Brandon, MN, CF Kendra Emery, East Grand Forks, MN, UTL Kaleigh Peterson, Dilworth, MN, OF Comment from Coach King: "Hopefully our pitching will be better this year and outfield should be solid. We are inexperienced but should improve as the season moves along."
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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.