MOUNT VERNON, IA . . . The Iowa Conference, one of the top Division III softball conferences in the nation, once again appears to be as strong as tradition has proven. Last year, three teams won 30-plus games led by National runner-up Central College that finished with a 41-10 record. Conference champion, Wartburg College, a regional finalist in last year’s NCAA tournament, finished at 36-9-1 record overall and Coe College finished 31-10.
The strong teams from a season ago are back stronger and the sub-.500 teams from a year ago are back stronger. On average, 12 letterwinners and seven starters return per team. Included in those numbers are 11 of the 24 All-Conference players from 2001.
Although the perennial powers like Central, Wartburg, Simpson and Coe are once again picked by many coaches to finish at the top of the Conference standings, four first-year head coaches could bring a fresh start to their team and surprise some people.
“Obviously Central has the most experience returning and is probably the front runner followed closely by Wartburg and Simpson. Coe will give them a strong challenge,” Buena Vista’s Marge Willadsen said. “With new coaches at Upper Iowa, Dubuque, Loras and Luther, things could be interesting.”
Cornell’s Lori Moss stated, “Wartburg and Central are the favorites and Simpson should push for a top position. After that, the race is wide open.”
Wartburg began its season with its Florida Spring Trip on March 3, and will complete the 12-game, six-day trip on March 8. That same day, Buena Vista, Loras and Luther start its seasons followed shortly by the season opener for Central, Coe and Simpson on March 9. Upper Iowa kicks off its season on March 16 and Dubuque gets underway on March 18.
The Conference season begins on April 6, with each school playing doubleheaders against all Conference opponents. The season concludes on May 3 with the NCAA Tournament to follow.
The up-to-date composite Conference schedule, results and statistics are available on the softball home page of the Conference web site at www.iowaconference.com. For the most up-to-date team rosters, visit the softball page of each school’s athletic web site.
A complete team-by-team preview follows.
Buena Vista University Beavers
(22-13 Overall, 12-8 IIAC 6th place)
BUENA VISTA IN GENERAL –With nine freshmen and seven sophomores among the 21 on their roster, Buena Vista will be one of the youngest teams in the Conference. It must overcome the loss of two four-year letterwinners and their top two hitters from a season ago – Courtney Anderson (.381 avg.) and Molly Schuler (.336 avg.), both of whom earned All-Conference honors last season. Despite their youth, the Beavers return 11 players that saw action in 2001 including six starters.
BUENA VISTA ON THE MOUND –Buena Vista lacks experience on the mound. Sophomores Gelene Bousum (Marshalltown, IA/Marshalltown) and Kara Rea (Waukon, IA/Waukon) return with limited experience from last season. Bousum appeared in six games with two starts and one complete game. She finished the season 1-0 record, a 2.53 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 19.1 innings. Rea appeared in three games with one start as a freshman. She posted a 1-1 record and a 1.05 ERA in 13.1 innings.
Freshmen Erin Cottington (Emmetsburg, IA/Emmetsburg) and Kelly Kalvelage (Cresco, IA/Crestwood) will add depth to the pitching staff.
BUENA VISTA IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE – Six position starters return led by All-Conference designated player Katie Richardson (Storm Lake, IA/Storm Lake). As a freshman, Richardson hit .296 with team-high three homeruns in 29 games. She will also see action behind the plate along with sophomore Lindsey Roberts (Carroll, IA/Carroll) who hit .235 and drove in 10 runs in 25 games last season.
The corner infielders both return from last season. At first base, Megan O’Malley (Storm Lake, IA/Storm Lake) struggled offensively (.159 avg.) but had a solid defensive season, committing only two errors in 90 chances (.978 fielding percentage). Senior Laura Lunders (Cleghorn, IA/Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn), the starter at third base, was third on the team in hitting (.306) and led the team with 18 RBI. Junior Sara Salton (Ruthven, IA/Ruthven-Ayrshire) and sophomores Kris Bordwell (Clarion, IA/Clarion-Goldfield) and Abby Lance (Mount Pleasant, IA/Mount Pleasant) all saw limited action last season around the infield. Salton and Bordwell each played in three games with one start. Lance hit .357 in 15 games.
Freshmen Katie Onken (Carroll, IA/Carroll), Angie Willer (Schaller, IA/Schaller-Crestland), Tracy Lonning (Worthing, SD/Worthing), Abby Brown (Mason City, IA/Mason City) and Ashley Briant (Dexter, IA) will compete for playing time.
In the outfield, senior Jenni Rydberg (Schaller, IA/Schaller-Crestland) returns as the starting left fielder and sophomore Holli Protexter (Sioux City, IA) returns in right field. Lance, junior transfer Monica Osheim (Lake Mills, IA/Lake Mills) and freshman Leslie Petersen (Nevada, IA/Nevada) will compete for playing time in the outfield.
BUENA VISTA IN THE DUGOUT –In her 21st season at Buena Vista, Marge Willadsen is the Dean of Iowa Conference coaches. She is 13 victories shy of 500 for her career (487-293-2). Her 487 career victories rank fourth among active coaches and fifth all-time in Division III. She has been named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year twice (1992, 1995).
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“Our team will be led by three seniors (1B O’Malley, 3B Lunders, LF Rydberg). However, we will be very young up the middle with two sophomore pitchers and inexperience at the other infield positions,” Willadsen said. “The potential for a good season is within our grasp as we gain maturity throughout the season.”
Central College Dutch
(41-10 Overall, 16-4 IIAC 2nd place)
CENTRAL IN GENERAL –Central will look to improve on its second-place finish nationally last season but that is easier said than done despite having 12 returning letterwinners. The Dutch must replace Division III Catcher of the Year Annie Van Wetzinga, who hit .381 and threw out 19 would-be base stealers last season. Also gone are first baseman Kelly Oliver and All-Conference center fielder Mandy Jens, who hit .330 and stole 18 bases.
CENTRAL ON THE MOUND –A Third Team All-American and First Team All-Conference selection as a sophomore, Libby Hysell (Colfax, IA/Colfax-Mingo) returns as the ace of pitching staff. She posted a 24-7 record with a 0.73 ERA and struck out 178 batters in 185.2 innings. When Hysell gets a rest, Central’s opponents do not. Junior April Miller (Pleasantville, IA/Pleasantville) posted a 14-3 record in 28 games last season. She surrendered only seven earned runs in 120.2 innings (0.52 ERA) and struck out 108 batters.
Freshman Corey Schmidt (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny) and sophomore Katy Lein (Urbandale, IA/Urbandale) appear to be the top candidates for the number three spot on the pitching staff. Lein saw action last season at third base. Freshmen Maria Zimmerman (Hiawatha, IA/Cedar Rapids Kennedy) and Marcy Davis (Columbus Junction, IA/Winfield-Mt. Union) will give the Dutch additional depth on the mound.
CENTRAL IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Central’s outfield features All-Conference left fielder Denise Barnard (Oskaloosa, IA/Oskaloosa) and right fielder Kris Hughes (Charles City, IA/Charles City). Barnard, who hit .336 last season and scored 28 runs, is still hampered by foot injury she sustained in the NCAA Tournament last May. Speedy freshman Bri Kuyper (Urbandale, IA/Urbandale) appears to be the front runner for the starting center field position while sophomore Becky Hedges (Central City, IA/Central City) and freshmen Shelly Tomlinson (Huxley, IA/Ballard), Kara Hanson (Cedar Falls, IA/Cedar Falls) and Jess Groth (Waverly, IA/Waverly-Shell Rock) will add depth.
The three starters returning around the Central’s infield all started 51 games last season. Senior Missy Voigt (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny), a First Team All-Conference selection returns at third base, senior Molly Parrott (Council Bluffs, IA/Lewis Central), an NCAA All-Tournament Team selection returns at second base and sophomore Beth Peterson (Ames, IA/Ames) returns at shortstop. Voigt hit .301 last season with three homeruns and 23 RBI. Parrott, who joined the team late while finishing the basketball season, hit .395 with a school record 70 hits and 44 runs. She also stole 32 bases and had a .935 fielding percentage. Peterson stole 12 bases and scored 18 runs but struggled at the plate, hitting just .206.
Freshman Anne Legg (Ames, IA/Ames) appears ready to take over the first base job. She is recovering from fall thumb surgery is not at 100 percent yet. Sophomores Emily Carlson (Mount Vernon, IA/Lisbon) and Amy Adams (Adel, IA/ADM) or freshman Holly Edwards (Pella, IA/Pella) could all step into at first.
Lein, senior Kristin Stecker (Central City, IA/Central City), junior Mary Vande Hoef (Orange City, IA/MOC-Floyd Valley), and freshmen Tara Barrick (Hampton, IA/Hampton-Dumont), Lisa Hitsman (Boone, IA/Boone) and Tracy O’Donnell (West Union, IA/North Fayette) will all provide depth around the infield.
Sophomore Stef Miller (Sioux City, IA/East), a reserve outfielder last season, appears the likely replacement for Van Wetzinga behind the plate. Miller, like so many other of her teammates, is recovering from off-season surgery. Carlson and freshman Kimber Jones (Ankeny, IA/Ankeny) are others that could see action behind the plate.
CENTRAL IN THE DUGOUT – George Wares enters his 18th season as head coach at Central. He has an all-time record of 580-199-2 and has led the Dutch to three national titles. He ranks first among active Division III coaches and second all-time with his 580 wins. His .744 winning percentage ranks fourth all-time among coaches with at least 10 years of experience and eighth among active coaches with at least five years experience. Wares has been named Iowa Conference Coach of the Year three times (1990, 1993, 2000).
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“Our success last year makes us a mark for other teams. But part of our job as coaches is to not change anything in our formula,” Wares said. “We need to bring out the players’ strengt and enjoy the process of playing the games. If we do that, the wins will take care of themselves.”
Coe College Kohawks
(31-10 Overall, 13-7 IIAC 5th place)
COE IN GENERAL –Coe has four All-Region players back from last year’s 31-10 team and only one of those four is a senior so the future continues to look bright for the Kohawks. They must replace pitcher Laura Biechler, who in 22 games posted an 18-4 record with a 1.28 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 136.1 innings.
COE ON THE MOUND –With the loss of Biechler, Coe has only one pitcher back from last season, sophomore Lindsay Chase (Milo, IA/Indianola). Chase started 20 games and finished with a 13-6 record and a 1.55 ERA. She pitched 135.2 innings, striking out 66 batters and walking 45. She will be joined on the staff by freshmen Amy Ernst (Monona, IA/MFL Mar Mac) and Krysta Rees (Urbandale, IA/Urbandale).
COE IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Offensively, Coe returns six starters that hit over .300 last season. Leading that group is All-Conference and All-Region second baseman Jamie Dalbey (Ottumwa, IA/Ottumwa) and All-Conference and All-Region designated player Abby Kite (Bonaparte, IA/Harmony). Dalbey hit .437 last season with two homeruns and 17 RBI while Kite hit .321 with four homeruns and 24 RBI. Junior center fielder Shalyn Swartout (Sioux City, IA/North) and junior catcher Tiffany Tiedtke (Cedar Rapids, IA/Jefferson) both earned All-Region honors last season. Swartout hit .352 with a team high eight homeruns and 32 RBI. Tiedtke hit .339 with six homeruns and 30 RBI.
Joining Dalbey around the infield, are returning starters Stacy Baumhover (Dubuque, IA/Senior) at first base, Angie Witte (Kellogg, IA/Newton) at third base and Leah Furman (Volga, IA/Central of Elkader) at shortstop. Baumhover hit .314 last season with three homeruns and 21 RBI while Witte hit .301 and drove in 12 runs. Furman struggled offensively but provided a solid glove in the middle infield with Dalbey.
Juniors Kristin Smith (Fort Atkinson, IA/Turkey Valley) and Nema Meier (Grand Mound, IA/Central DeWitt Community) flank Swartout in the outfield. Both provide solid gloves in the outfield with only six errors in 76 chances between the two of them last season.
Freshman Alyshia Meier (Grand Mound, IA/Central DeWitt Community) will back-up Tiedtke behind the plate and see time in the outfield. Sophomore Darcy Ehrmann (Amana, IA/Clark Creek Amana) and freshman Beth Rohlena (Sioux City, IA/North) will also see playing time in the outfield while Rees, when not pitching, could be utilized in the infield.
COE IN THE DUGOUT – Bob Timmons enters his fifth season as Coe’s head coach and 17th season overall as a collegiate head coach. Timmons, the 1999 Iowa Conference Coach of the Year, has a 111-52 record at Coe and a 486-214 overall record that includes 12 seasons at Mount Mercy College (NAIA).
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“Our team will be better in all aspects of the game,” Timmons said. “We have four All-Region players returning and a veteran line-up in addition to our pitching staff.”
Cornell College Rams
(13-20 Overall, 5-15 IIAC T-7th place)
CORNELL IN GENERAL –Despite only one senior on the roster, Cornell has a lot of experience with nine starters and 12 letterwinners back from last season. In fact, Coach Lori Moss considers her team’s experience one of its strengt. Cornell must overcome the loss starters Dana Speckner (.311 average, third on team) at shortstop and Rachelle Mullen (.255 avg., .966 fielding percentage) in center field. Also gone is Jessica Lynch, who hit .304 in 19 games last season.
CORNELL ON THE MOUND –Junior Sarah Heller (Geneseo, IL/J.D. Darnall) returns as the Rams’ top pitcher. Last season she posted a 9-11 record with three shutouts in 24 games. She struck out 87 batters in 127.1 innings and allowed just 35 earned runs (1.92). After Heller, it will be “pitcher-by-committee” according to Moss. Sophomore Sarah Klingamen (Rock Island, IL/Alleman) appeared in 16 games on the mound last season with 15 starts. She finished with a 2-9 record and a 4.81 ERA. Sarah Wille (Victor, IA/HLV) also saw action in nine contests, finishing with a 2-0 record and a 5.67 ERA. Junior transfer Jodie McCullough (Conesville, IA/Columbus Community) will also see time on the mound for Cornell.
CORNELL IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Three infielders return for Cornell including sophomore first baseman Lisa Henze (Storm Lake, IA/Storm Lake) and junior second baseman Lindsey Stoll (Bondurant, IA/Bondurant-Farrar), who led the team with 30 hits and six stolen bases last season. Heller or Klingamen, whichever is not on the mound, will get the nod at third base. Cornell needs to replace Speckner at shortstop and will look to junior Karla Scholz (Monmouth, IL/Monmouth) or freshman Amy Pitlik (Mount Vernon, IA/Mount Vernon) to fill that void. Scholz hit .355 in 31 at bats last season. Wille and McCullough should see action at first and second base, respectively.
Two-thirds of the Rams’ outfield returns from last season led by the lone senior on the roster Kali Kiner (Monticello, IA/Monticello) in right field and junior Carolyn Lee (Smithville, MO/Smithville) in left field. Kiner hit .282 with 20 hits. Lee hit .299 with 26 hits and drove in 12 runs last season. Junior Janis Dickman (Vernon Hills, IL/Lake Forest Academy), who saw limited action in 16 games last season, will see tine in right field. Sophomore Laura Fuller (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley Northwest) and freshman Alex Myers (Wrightwood, CA/Serrano) appear to be the leading candidates to take over in center. Fuller appeared in 11 games last season with one start.
Junior Christina Sjogren (Brooklyn Park, MN/Champlin Park) returns as the starting catcher. She committed only nine errors in 129 chances defensively last season. Pitlik and Klingamen could also see time behind the plate.
CORNELL IN THE DUGOUT – Lori Moss enters her sixth season as head coach at Cornell. She has compiled a 46-119-1. The Rams have improved from 3-23 the year before Moss’ arrival to 13-20 last season.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“Our overall experience is a strength,” Moss said. “We have everyone returning with the exception of two players and that will definitely be a key for us. Placing in the top half of the Conference shouldn’t be a goal of ours, it is an expectation.”
University of Dubuque Spartans
(6-19 Overall, 4-14 IIAC 10th place)
DUBUQUE IN GENERAL –Dubuque is one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the Iowa Conference. Only four players on the roster have collegiate experience and three of those four are sophomores. It will be a fresh start for the Spartans under first-year head coach Don Till. Eight freshmen grace Dubuque’s roster looking to make an immediate impact. The biggest loss for Dubuque comes with the departure of pitcher Barbie Angel, (4-11, 4.48 ERA in 96.1 innings) and catcher Melissa Dix (.280 avg. – top on team).
DUBUQUE ON THE MOUND –Though Angel is gone, Dubuque has experience on the mound in sophomore B.J. Duwa (Kalona, IA/Mid Prairie). Duwa started all 11 of her appearances and finished with a 2-8 record. She struck out 33 batters in 70.2 innings and surrendered 46 earned runs (5.86 ERA).
Joining Duwa on the mound is freshman Stephanie Pieper (Dexter, IA/West Central).
DUBUQUE IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –The lone senior on the Dubuque roster is third baseman Theresa Dix (Aplington, IA/Aplington-Parkersburg). She hit .233 and drove in eight runs (tied for second on the team) in 25 games. When not pitching Duwa will see time in the outfield where she hit .279 a year ago, second best on the team and led the team with 24 hits. In 25 games, she did not commit an error in 25 chances.
Sophomore Maria Spittlemeister (Pleasant Prairie, WI/Shoreland) returns as the Spartans starting first baseman. She hit .224 last season and made only 12 errors in 189 chances (.937 fielding percentage). Sophomore shortstop/outfielder Nicole Essman (Streator, IL/Woodland) hit .164 in 25 games. Five of her 12 hits went for extra bases (four doubles, one triple). She also stole three bases.
Freshmen Hannah Busselot (Calamus, IA/Calamus Wheatland) and Jamie Rechenmacher (Aurora, IL/Rosary) will be called upon to replace Melissa Dix behind the plate. Other freshmen looking for immediate playing time around the infielder include Marcy Krause (Manito, IL/Midwest Central), Leslie Oyen (Dubuque, IA/Hempstead) and Stephanie Armbruster (St. Louis, MO/St. John Baptist). Potential outfielders include Oyen, Armbruster, Amanda Tonne (Prairie Du Chein, WI/Prairie Du Chein) and Megan Evans (Bloomington, IL/Normal Community).
DUBUQUE IN THE DUGOUT – Don Till begins his first season as head coach at Dubuque. It also marks his first season as a collegiate head coach. He has spent the previous 15 years as head coach at Western Dubuque High School where he led the team to nine Conference titles. He registered a 455-219 record and was twice named the Class 3A Northeast Iowa Coach of the Year.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“This will be a building year for us. With just four players who have ever played college softball on the roster, I know how difficult this Conference season will be,” Till said. “That said, I am pleased so far at our progress. We will play every game hard, we will get experience, we will learn and we expect to see improvement every time out.”
Loras College Duhawks
(12-20-1 Overall, 5-15 IIAC T-7th place)
LORAS IN GENERAL –Loras struggled through last season with a pitching staff comprised of mostly freshmen and an offense that hit just .235 as a team. The nice thing about freshman pitchers is they come back as sophomores with more experience. Offensively though, shortstop Trina Reed has graduated and three-year catcher Mandy Toale will not play this season while completing her student-teaching duties. Toale led the team with a .333 average last season. Loras will be young this year with nine sophomores and seven freshmen on its roster.
LORAS ON THE MOUND –Sophomores Trixie Reed (Independence, IA/Independence) and Laura Anderson (Eldridge, IA/North Scott) pitched 172 of the team’s 211.2 innings last season. Reed appeared in 17 games, started 15 of them, completed 11 of those and pitched one shutout. She finished with a 6-8 record, a 3.31 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 99.1 innings. Anderson started 12 of her 17 appearances and had seven complete games. She posted a 4-8 record with one save and a 4.62 ERA in 72.2 innings. Freshman Jessica Nahorski (Joliet, IL/Joliet Catholic) will be looked to as the Duhawks third pitcher.
LORAS IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Around the infield, third baseman Nicki Mueller (Bellevue, IA/Bellevue) and the first base combination of Megan Plein (Independence, IA/Independence) and Laryn Lutz (North Liberty, IA/Iowa City West) return. Junior Kim Sturm (Armstrong, IA/Armstrong-Ringsted) will move from second base over to shortstop. Mueller hit .250 in 15 games last season. Plein started 23 games and appeared in 25, finishing fourth on the team with a .273 average. She also had a .964 fielding percentage. Lutz saw action at first base as well as the designated player and hit .216. She had a .972 fielding percentage. In 33 games at second, Sturm committed just eight errors in 148 chances (.946 fielding percentage).
Sophomores Kelly Burns (Waterloo, IA/Columbus) and Suzy Neuman (Eden Prairie, MN/Eden Prairie) along with freshman Andrea Toale (Independence, IA/Independence) will provide depth around the infield.
Behind the plate, sophomore Liz Ressler (Cascade, IA/Cascade) appears to have the inside track on the starting catching duties. She split time with Toale last season and hit .292 (third on team) with a team-high eight doubles and two homeruns.
Junior Katie Rasmusson (Epworth, IA/Western Dubuque) and sophomore Angie Williams (Charles City, IA/Charles City) return as starters to the outfield. Rasmusson hit .261 and was second on the team with 13 RBI last season. Williams finished second in hitting (.293) and stole five bases. Sophomore Rita Ostrowski (Woodridge, IL/Benet Academy), a reserve outfielder last season, appears to have the edge on the third outfield position. Senior Melissa Franzen (Fredericksburg, IA/Fredericksburg) also saw time on the outfield last season.
LORAS IN THE DUGOUT – Mary Jo Vrba makes her head-coaching debut this season. She is familiar with the Iowa Conference as she played at Wartburg and earned All-Conference honors as a senior in 1998. She also served as an assistant at Wartburg in 1999.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –I believe it is important that our players leave 2001 behind them and look ahead,” Vrba said. “We are so young as a team that it’s important for our players to have some room to grow and learn from mistakes, while not dwelling on them. I’m coming in with a different way of doing things and different expectations. We’re starting with a clean slate in 2002 and building our own identity.”
Luther College Norse
(9-27 Overall, 5-15 IIAC T-7th place)
LUTHER IN GENERAL –Nine starters and 15 letterwinners return from last season’s 9-27 team. The experience will join 11 freshmen to turn things around for the Norse under first-year Head Coach Renae Hartl.
LUTHER ON THE MOUND –Two seniors and one junior return as the Norse’s top pitchers. The trio started 33 of the team’s 36 games last season. Senior Caren Hanson (Rochester, MN/Lourdes) appeared in a team-high 19 games with 16 starts, posting a 5-12 record. In 94.1 innings, she struck out 30 batters and surrendered 47 earned runs (3.49 ERA). Senior Jen Hohrmann (Des Moines, IA/North) appeared in 16 games with 13 starts. She finished the season with a 4-8 record with one save, 53 strikeouts and a 1.49 ERA. Junior Kim Soenksen (Bettendorf, IA/Pleasant Valley) started four games and made 11 total appearances.
Freshmen Lexi Davis (St. Peter, MN/St. Peter) and Katie Meixell (St. Paul, MN/Minnehaha Academy) will add depth to the pitching staff.
LUTHER IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Junior third baseman Nicole Vermett (Harvard, IL/Harvard), a two-time All-Conference selection, leads the list of returning players. She led the team in hitting (.376) and slugging percentage (.495) and was tied for the team lead with 11 RBI. Designated player Melissa Willenborg (Guthrie Center, IA/Guthrie Center) is the only other returning player to hit over .300 last season (.315). Vermett and Willenborg had little help offensively last season as five of the other seven returning starters hit below .250.
Joining Vermett around the infield are junior first baseman Keri Hatlevig (Lanesboro, MN/Rushford-Peterson), sophomore second baseman Jennifer Crawford (Independence, IA/Independence) and sophomore shortstop Julie Esterday (West Salem, WI/West Salem,). All three struggled offensively last season with Esterday the only one to hit over .200 (.217 avg.).
Freshmen Jennifer Anderson (Decorah, IA/Decorah), Katie Chambers (Marble Rock, IA/Rockford Senior), Kimberly Distin (Spirit Lake, IA/Spirit Lake) and Jessica Taylor (Riverdale, IA/Pleasant Valley) will provide depth around the infield.
The outfield trio of junior Leah Thomsen (Hartley, IA/Clay Central-Everly) and sophomores Kelly Hickey (Duluth, MN/Hermantown) and Jolene Hermes (Maquoketa, IA/Maquoketa) started 26, 31 and 28 games respectively last season but like their infield counterparts, struggled at the plate. Hermes his .269, Thomsen hit .263 with a team-high 11 RBI and Hickey hit .143. Hermes, who also saw action behind the plate, is the team’s top base-stealing threat.
Others looking to break the line-up, as freshmen are Danae Breeden (Kellogg, IA /Grinnell), Stephanie Mueller (Bellevue, IA /Bellevue Community) and Stephanie Novak (Glen Ellyn, IL /Addison Trail).
Behind the plate, junior Megan Robinson (Cedar Falls, IA/Cedar Falls) will see a majority of the action. She also saw time last season at third base. In 34 starts (team-high), she hit .206 and was tied for second on the team with nine RBI. Breeden should also see action behind the plate.
LUTHER IN THE DUGOUT – Renae Hartl makes her head-coaching debut this season. She served as an assistant coach at Gustavus Adolphus College last season. Hartl played four years of college softball and volleyball for Conference rival, Wartburg College.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“We will have some young players up and down the line-up but we will definitely look for our returnees for leadership on and off the field,” Hartl said. “Our pitching staff will be experienced and they are looking for success. Our goals are to be consistent on defense and aggressive on offense.”
Simpson College Storm
(20-10 Overall, 14-6 IIAC 4th place)
SIMPSON IN GENERAL –Simpson will look to rebound from last season’s “off” year as it failed to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993. Fifteen letterwinners including six starters return from the 2001 squad. The Storm will have to replace its entire outfield including the loss of two All-Conference performers, Karen Smith (right field) and Sara Brokhart (center field). Also graduated is All-Conference pitcher Anna Sims (9-3, 1.11 ERA).
SIMPSON ON THE MOUND –Junior Amy Kulisky (Des Moines, IA/South East Polk) returns as the most experienced pitcher on the staff, although junior Jackie Brittain (Elgin, IL/St. Edward) and sophomore Meghan Kelso (Des Moines, IA/Hoover) had success in limited action last season. Kulisky posted a 7-3 record with one save in 14 contests, including seven starts. She struck out 84 batters in 55.2 innings and finished the season with a 1.89 ERA. Brittain appeared in 11 games without a decision (1.75 ERA) but did strike out seven in 12 innings. In her only action last season, Kelso pitched a complete game, four-hit shutout over Upper Iowa.
Krista Schuur(Muscatine, IA/Muscatine) and Rachel Koller (Niles, MI/Brandywine) could also see action on the mound. Schuur struggled in her seven appearances last season while Koller missed the season with an injury. Transfers Brady Stumpff (Walford, IA/BGM), a NJCAA All-America last year at Waldorf Junior College, and Lyndsy Owen (Waukee, IA/Waukee), a transfer from Northern Iowa, could both see time on the mound along with freshmen Jennifer Jensen (Murray, IA/Murray) and Kate Brandt (Pinetree, British Columbia/Pinetree).
SIMPSON IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –The infield is led by returning Second Team All-Conference second baseman Sarah Eggleston (Normal, IL/West). She hit .286 in 28 contests last season. Sophomore Michelle Montgomery (Newton, IA/Newton) returns as the starting first baseman where she hit .261 last season with four homeruns and 23 RBI. The left side of the infield is not quite as stable. At third base, Koller and sophomore Alexis Quijano (Des Moines, IA/Lincoln) will vie for playing time to replace Angie Strain. Juniors Laura Halbrook (Ankeny, IA/Saydel) and Mary Woiwood (West Des Moines, IA/Valley) both saw time at shortstop last season and appear to be ready to do the same this season. Halbrook hit .302 in 28 games and Woiwood hit .200 in 17 contests.
Behind the plate, junior Amanda Pilcher (Fort Dodge, IA/Fort Dodge) started all 30 games last season. She hit .302 with 12 RBI in those 30 contests. She will be backed-up by senior Amy Nemmers (Clive, IA/Des Moines East) and freshman Tuesdae Bailey (Grinnell, IA/Grinnell). Nemmers could also see action in the outfield and Bailey at shortstop.
Seven different players could be called upon to replace All-Americans Brookhart and Smith. Nemmers, junior Shauna Abel (Carlisle, IA/Carlisle) and sophomore Jill Carson (Des Moines, IA/Saydel) all saw action last season. Freshmen Jeana Baker (Indianola, IA/Indianola), Miranda Lund (Omaha, NE/Millard South), Becca Siler (Muscatine, IA/Muscatine) and Courtney Steeve (Indianola, IA/Indianola) will also compete playing time.
SIMPSON IN THE DUGOUT – Henry Christowski begins his sixth season as the head coach at Simpson. He has a 221-43-1 career record and ranks first among active Division III head coaches with an .836 winning percentage. Christowski led the Storm to four straight Conference titles (1997-2000) and was twice named Conference Coach of the Year (1997, 1998).
Upper Iowa University Peacocks
(11-23 Overall, 4-16 IIAC 11th place)
UPPER IOWA IN GENERAL –Upper Iowa has 11 returning letterwinners and six returning starters from last season’s 11-23 squad. The Peacocks must replace pitcher Tiffany Sheldon who led the team with six victories and 97 strikeouts in 107.2 innings. They also lost First Team All-Conference first basemen Betty Ganfield (.380 avg. 17 RBI) and catcher Kim Karr (.253 avg. 11 RBI).
UPPER IOWA ON THE MOUND –Senior Michelle Boyum (Peterson, MN/Rushford-Peterson), a four-year starter, returns after a 5-9 season in 2001 that included a team-best 2.93 ERA and the first no-hitter in Upper Iowa history. She struck out 50 batters in 101.1 innings. Sophomore Jenny Hayek (Fort Atkinson, IA/Turkey Valley) saw action in four games and pitched in 16.2 innings, striking out 13 batters.
Sophomore Jeannette Pettlon (Winthrop, IA/East Buchanan) is a transfer expected to contribute immediately. Freshmen Amber Wilson (Austin, MN/Southland) and Alison Nesteby (Elkader, IA/Central Community) could also figure into the pitching mix.
UPPER IOWA IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Three infielders return from last season, and this year will have the opportunity to show their versatility as the trio is expected to play multiple infield positions. Sophomore third basemanChyanne Kleve(Waucoma, IA/Turkey Valley), a Second Team All-Conference selection last season, led Upper Iowa in most offensive categories last season including average (.420), homeruns (4), RBI (22), doubles (8), triples (7) and runs scored (28). She may see time at shortstop this season.
Returning second basemanArielle Beck(Moab, UT/Grand County) hit .232 last season and finished second on the team with seven doubles. She might see time at first base this season as the Peacocks search for a replacement for Ganfield. SeniorTara Heller(Cedar Falls, IA/North Fayette), last season’s starting shortstop, will see time at both middle infield positions. She hit .222 last season and scored 18 runs (second on team). Sophomores Wendy Pfrang (Elkhart Lake, IN/Glenbeulah) and Keelee Conrad (Alpha, IA/North Fayette) will compete for playing time at third base when Kleve shifts to shortstop. When not pitching, Boyum and Hayek will see action on the right side of the infield.
Sophomores Amanda Luiken (Steamboat Rock, IA/AGWSR) and Pfrang will be called upon to replace Karr behind the plate. Both saw limited action as freshmen, Luiken in 12 games and Pfrang in five.
Senior Jill Northrop (Arlington, IA/Starmont) is a three-year performer in center field. She hit just .200 in 33 games last season but scored eight runs and drove in 12. Junior Erin Foster (Greene, IA/Clarksville) returns as the starting left fielder and has the strongest arm of any Upper Iowa outfielder. Senior Tynisha Downing (Milford, DE/Sussex Tech), Hayek and Conrad will see time in the outfield. Downing appeared in 14 games last season and stole four bases in limited playing time. Conrad scored five runs in 16 games.
UPPER IOWA IN THE DUGOUT – Brent Kuker, a 1991 graduate of Upper Iowa, takes over as head coach for the Peacocks after serving as an assistant coach since 1998. Prior to returning to UIU in 1998, Kuker served as head coach at Iowa Lakes Community College where he posted a 61-108 record in five seasons.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“With this much experience coming back, we’re working on playing consistently every inning. That’s our goal,” Kuker said. “We’re trying to build strong team chemistry. We want to put ourselves in the position to win ballgames.”
Wartburg College Knights
(36-9-1 Overall, 16-3-1 IIAC 1st place)
WARTBURG IN GENERAL –Wartburg won its first Conference title last season and returns 12 letterwinners and nine starters to a team that coach Randy Schneider calls “stronger and deeper” than last seasons. Two key losses for the Knights are Second Team All Conference utility player Aimee Havel and outfielder Alisa Steffan, who is the single season stolen base and runs scored leader.
WARTBURG ON THE MOUND –Junior Stephanie Rasmussen (Audubon, IA/Audubon) and sophomores Kelly Foley (Tipton, IA/Tipton) and Kelly Watkins (Waterloo, IA/Columbus) are the Knights’ top pitchers. Rasmussen enters the season with 28 career victories, 14 shy of the school record. Her 156 career shutouts are 81 shy of the school record. Foley concluded her freshman season with an 11-2 record and a team-best 1.12 ERA. Watkins finished her freshman season with a 6-1 record in 16 games.
Freshman Courtney Kowalke (Iowa City, IA/City), a four-time All-State selection in high school, will add depth to the pitching staff.
WARTBURG IN THE FIELD/AT THE PLATE –Sophomore catcher Amy Kueker (Waverly, IA/Waverly-Shell Rock) earned All-Conference and All-Region recognition as a freshman, setting a school record with 41 RBI. She also finished second in team hitting (.379). A trio of sophomores will serve as Kueker’s back-ups – Heather Winter (West Union, IA/Turkey Valley), Kari Krogmann (Manchester, IA/West Delaware) and Tera Anderson (New Hampton, IA/New Hampton).
Junior first baseman Kathy Voss (New Liberty, IA/Durant) missed a majority of the 2001 season with a blood clot in her shoulder. In 19 games she hit .500 and had a .722 slugging percentage. Junior transfer Naomi Rogne (Cresco, IA/Crestwood) will serve as Voss’ back-up and see time as the designated player.
Two sophomores that earned All-Regional Team honors at the NCAA Tournament return as the starting middle infielders. Betsy Girsch (Waterloo, IA/Don Bosco) returns at second base and Julie Medus (Gilman, IA/East Marshall) returns at shortstop. Sophomore Carrie Clement (Marshalltown, IA/Marshalltown), who filled in at first base last season, will push for playing time at second base and sophomore transfer Alicia Cox (Readlyn, IA/Wapsie Valley) will push for playing time at shortstop. All-Region third baseman Emily Mangin (Waterloo, IA/East) returns at the hot corner. She led the team with a .390 average and set a school record with 55 hits. Senior Jolene Goerend (West Union, IA/North Fayette) and sophomore Amy Dean (Jesup, IA/Jesup) could also see time at third base.
Senior Natalie Curran (Waterloo, IA/East) is the Conference record holder for stolen bases in a season (19) and leads what could be the quickest outfield in the IIAC. Sophomore Amy Sopher (Pella, IA/Pella) and junior Karla Flynn (Harper, IA/Sigourney) complete the starting outfield. Freshmen Britany Petersen (Wilton, IA/Wilton Community) and Alissa Unertl (Alburnett, IA/Alburnett) will see action around the outfield.
WARTBURG IN THE DUGOUT – Randy Schneider enters his third season as head coach for Wartburg. He has compiled a 63-23-1 record. He earned IIAC Coach of the Year honors last season leading the team to its first Conference title.
WHAT THE COACH SAYS –“We need to get out early and see where we’re at,” Schneider said. “Early success will be another key for us this year as it was last season.”
-30-
