CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference's Softball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2022 American Rivers Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2021 Record |
| T-1. |
Coe College (4) |
57 |
25-15 Overall, 18-6 A-R-C (Regular Season Champions) |
| T-1. |
Wartburg College (3) |
57 |
26-10 Overall, 17-7 A-R-C |
| 3. |
Luther College (2) |
51 |
31-14 Overall, 14-10 A-R-C (Tournament Champions) |
| 4. |
Central College |
45 |
20-14 Overall, 15-9 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
33 |
16-21 Overall, 11-13 A-R-C |
| 6. |
University of Dubuque |
26 |
23-19 Overall, 10-14 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Buena Vista University |
23 |
18-22 Overall, 8-16 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Simpson College |
22 |
16-18 Overall, 13-11 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Loras College |
10 |
2-27 Overall, 2-22 A-R-C |
The Coe College Kohawks and Wartburg College Knights stand at the top of the coaches' poll to win the 2022 American Rivers Conference regular season title. They both earned 57 points in the poll, with Coe recording four of the first-place votes and Wartburg receiving three first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Coe was the 2021 regular season champion and Wartburg finished in second. After finishing the 2021 season as tournament champions, Luther College garnered 51 points and two first-place votes to make the number-three spot in this year's poll. Central College, finishing third in 2021, is picked to finish fourth in 2022. The Dutch totaled 45 points in this year's poll. Season previews for all nine teams follow below.
NFCA Poll: After finishing 2021 receiving four votes, Coe opens 2022 receiving seven votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top-25 poll.
The Schedule: The 2022 season begins on Saturday, February 19 when Buena Vista, Luther, and Nebraska Wesleyan open their seasons inside the dome in Mankato, Minnesota. The Beavers will face-off with St. Catherine University out of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and Wisconsin-Stout out of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), while the Norse face-off with Concordia-Moorhead (MIAC) and St. Catherine University. The Prairie Wolves will face Wisconsin-Stout and St. Olaf (MIAC).
Simpson is set to open their season Saturday, February 26 down in Irving, Texas against Austin College in a doubleheader. Austin College hails from the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC).
The Spartans of University of Dubuque open their season on Monday, February 28 in Kissimmee, Florida with games against Concordia-Moorhead out of the MIAC and Adrian College out of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
Loras College begins their season Thursday, February 24 at the Blue Angel Invite in Peoria, Illinois. They will begin play against Midwest Conference foe, Knox College.
Wartburg College will get their 2022 campaign underway Sunday, February 27 in Clermont, Florida. They will begin play against Saint Mary's University (Minn.) out of the MIAC.
Central College and Coe College begin play on Friday, March 4 in Columbus, Georgia at the 2022 NFCA DIII Leadoff Classic. The Kohawks will face-off with Manhattanville College (Skyline Conference) and Texas Lutheran out of the SCAC. The Dutch will face-off with Alma College (MIAA) and Randolph-Macon out of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
A-R-C play is set to begin the weekend of Saturday, March 26 as the Dubuque Spartans and Wartburg Knights kick off conference play with a doubleheader in Waverly, Iowa. The Simpson Storm will travel to Pella to take on the Dutch, Thursday, March 31. Saturday, April 2 sees the remaining five teams begin conference play with doubleheaders as Buena Vista University hosts Dubuque, the Storm heads to Dubuque to face the Loras Duhawks, Luther College Norse play host to the Kohawks of Coe College in Decorah, Iowa, and the Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan will host the Knights of Wartburg in Lincoln, Neb.
Conference Tournament: The 2022 American Rivers Conference tournament will be held May 6-7 with the tournament's top seed serving as host. The tournament is a single-elimination format, consisting of six schools. The top two seeds from the regular season standings will receive first-round byes. The two opening-round games are played on Friday with semifinals and the final on Saturday.
The American Rivers Conference tournament champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
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Tied - No. 1 Coe College
Head Coach: Diane Meyer - 8th season at Coe (167-78)
2021 Conference Finish: 1st, Regular Season Champions
2021 Record: 25-15 Overall, 18-6 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2021/4
2021 NCAA Tournament:
- Defeated Milwaukee School of Engineering 1-0 [Regional]
- Lost to St. Thomas 8-1 [Regional]
- Lost to St. Olaf 2-0 [Regional]
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/0
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 16/3
All-Conf Returning: Ellie Thurow (Jr., P), Skyler Stookey (Jr., C), Madi Parson (Jr., INF), Shaylee Dodd (Jr., INF), Hannah Ausenhus (Jr., P), Ruby Kappeler (Jr., OF)
All-Conf Lost: Megan Weber (DP), Kelsey Hora (CF)
Diane Meyer - "We are returning a strong group of upperclassmen as well as two others who didn't play in 2021 for health reasons. We have some promising freshmen that we'll look to in order to bolster our lineup. We're excited to get back to a regular non-conference season and then jump into the softball madhouse known as the American Rivers Conference. It's an honor to play in one of the toughest DIII conferences in the country against very good coaches and their programs." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Ellie Thurow (Jr., P) |
14-appearances // 3.13 ERA // 10-3 record // 1 shut out // .242 BAA |
| Hannah Ausenhus (Jr., P) |
15-appearances // 3.58 ERA // 7-1 record // 1 shut out // 1 save // .283 BAA |
| Abby Stock (Jr., P) |
3-appearances // 1.17 ERA // 2 walks // .205 BAA |
| Skyler Stookey (Jr., C) |
24-games started // .405 BA // 5 2B // 6 HR // 28 RBI // 21 runs |
| Bree Mangelsen (So., C) |
16-games played // .258 BA // 4 HR // 9 RBI |
| Madi Parson (Jr., INF) |
22-games started // .360 BA // 5 2B // 2 HR // 19 RBI |
| Keera Ball (Jr., INF) |
24-games started // .268 BA // 5 2B // 12 RBI |
| Shaylee Dodd (Jr., INF) |
23-games started // .391 BA // 7 2B |
| Ruby Kappeler (Jr., OF) |
22-games started // .385 BA // 4 2B // 8-9 stolen bases |
| Natalie Blank (Sr., OF) |
24-games started // .296 BA // 10 RBI // 14-15 stolen bases |
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Tied - No. 1 Wartburg College
Head Coach: Jamie Mueller - 7th season at Wartburg (119-83)
2021 Conference Finish: 2nd
2021 Record: 26-10 Overall, 17-7 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2019/9
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 5/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 17/5
All-Conf Returning: Sydney Illg (Sr., SS), Olivia Brecht (Sr., 2B), Lauren Frerichs (Jr., OF), Ashley Nelson (So., P), Tarah Wehde (So., UTL)
All-Conf Lost: Kaci Sherwood (1B), Leah Campos (3B)
Jamie Mueller - "Each season brings a new team with its own vision and a brand new energy. As always, we're setting high standards for our program, and we'll continue to work hard to achieve them. We know the conference season will bring tough competition, and we are up for the challenge." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Sydney Illg (Sr., SS) |
24-games started // .292 BA // 24 runs // 3 HR // 14 RBI // 17-17 stolen bases |
| Olivia Brecht (Sr., 2B) |
24-games started // .333 BA // 18 runs // 4 2B // 14 RBI |
| Lauren Frerichs (Jr., OF) |
23-games started // .400 BA // 24 runs // 9 2B // 4 HR // 23 RBI |
| Ashley Nelson (So., P) |
14-appearances // 2.41 ERA // 9-2 record // 4 CG // 2 shut outs // .208 BAA |
| Tarah Wehde (So., UTL) |
23-games played // 4.17 ERA // .288 BAA // 2 shut outs // 23 K // .295 BA // 6 2B // 7 HR // 20 RBI |
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No. 3 Luther College
Head Coach: Renae Rost-Hartl - 21th season at Luther (626-206)
2021 Conference Finish: 4th, Tournament Champions
2021 Record: 31-14 Overall, 14-10 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2018/20
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 13/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 16/3
All-Conf Returning: Kendra Cooper (Sr., P), Sydney Schultz (Jr., 3B), Abby Spore (So., C), Sam Thompson (Jr., P)
All-Conf Lost: Elsa Skeie (2B), Hannah Halverson (SS)
Renae Rost-Hartl - "With eight seniors and an experienced pitching staff, we are definitely looking forward to the opportunity for a travel season that includes 12 games in Florida, which we haven't had since this group were freshmen. I expect that top to bottom, that every team in our league will come into conference play with winning overall records in their first 24 games, which will make for a very competitive 16 games at the end leading into tournament time."
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| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Kendra Cooper (Sr., P) |
15-appearances // 3.09 ERA // 7-5 record // 1 save // .241 BAA |
| Sydney Schultz (Jr., 3B) |
24-games started // .390 BA // 23 runs // 10 2B // 17 RBI // 4-5 stolen bases |
| Abby Spore (So., C) |
24-games started // .319 BA // 16 RBI |
| Sam Thompson (Jr., P) |
11-appearances // 2.79 ERA // 7-3 record // 4 shut outs // .265 BAA |
| Belle Berg (Jr., SS) |
18-games played // 11 RBI |
| Emily Versnik (Sr., 1B) |
20-games played // .353 BA // 2 HR |
| Kyal Heydt (Sr., INF) |
21-games played // .356 BA // 2 2B // 2 HR |
| Morgan Hogenson (Sr., OF) |
24-games started // .329 BA // 10 runs // 10 RBI |
| Emily Fell (Sr., OF) |
18-games played // .419 BA // 12 runs // 2-3 stolen bases |
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No. 4 Central College
Head Coach: George Wares - 38th season at Central (1,178-409-3)
2021 Conference Finish: 3rd
2021 Record: 20-14 Overall, 15-9 /conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2019/30
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 12/7
All-Conf Returning: Franie Burnett (So., OF), Megan Stuhr (So., 1B), Sydni Huisman (Jr., P)
All-Conf Lost: Daria Parchert (SS)
George Wares - "Just excited to be able to hopefully have a 'normal' season. We will be very young, but we think very competitive. Conference as always will be competitive and excellent softball to watch." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Sydni Huisman (Jr., P) |
22-appearances // 3.05 ERA // 9-6 record // 3 shut outs // 1 save // .282 BAA |
| Franie Burnett (So., OF) |
24-games started // .418 BA // 16 runs // 4 2B // 2 3B // 2 HR // 21 RBI |
| Megan Stuhr (So., 1B) |
24-games started // .403 BA // 6 2B // 2 HR // 12 RBI |
| Lauren Birt (Sr., 2B) |
24-games started // .304 BA // 3 2B // 2-3 stolen bases |
| Morgan Schaben (Jr., P) |
17-appearances // 5.09 ERA // 4-3 record |
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No. 5 Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Mary Yori - 7th season at NWU (107-94)
2021 Conference Finish: 6th
2021 Record: 16-21 Overall, 11-13 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/1
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 9/4
All-Conf Returning: Kailey Meyer (Sr., P), Emma Alfieri (Jr., 3B)
All-Conf Lost: Alysin Braun (C)
Mary Yori - "We will have a mix of upperclassmen veterans along with several freshmen on the field at any given time. We look forward to competing in the always-strong A-R-C, where anything can happen in the standings."
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| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Kailey Meyer (Sr., P) |
19-appearences // 3.14 ERA // 9-7 record // 1 save // 107.0 IP // .251 BAA |
| Taylor Styskal (Sr., 1B) |
21-games played // .353 BA // 6 2B // 2 HR |
| Sydney Nickerson (Sr., SS) |
20-games played // .261 BA |
| Val Gerlach (Jr., C) |
24-games started // .282 BA // 12 runs // 5 2B // 5 HR // 17 RBI |
| Emma Alfieri (Jr., 3B) |
24-games started // .342 BA // 16 runs // 5 2B // 4 HR // 16 RBI |
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No. 6 University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Jeff Lamb - 4th season at Dubuque (59-36)
2021 Conference Finish: 7th
2021 Record: 23-19 Overall, 10-14 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/3
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 1/2
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 14/5
All-Conf Returning: Emily Bloomer (Sr., OF), Rachel Trader (Sr., DP)
All-Conf Lost: None
Jeff Lamb - "We're really excited to get out and compete. We've got a great group of leaders returning and newcomers adding to that mix that should help us." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Lauren Brown (So., SS) |
20-games played // .305 BA // 5 2B // 11 RBI // 9-9 stolen bases |
| Rachel Trader (Sr., DP) |
24-games started // .338 BA // 3 HR // 12 RBI |
| Emily Bloomer (Sr., OF) |
24-games started // .367 BA // 8 2B // 3 HR // 17 RBI |
| Kayla Breunig (Sr., P) |
4-appearances // 9 walks |
| Deanna Origer (Sr., 1B) |
24-games started // .254 BA // 4 2B // 3 HR // 14 RBI |
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No. 7 Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Mandie Nocita - 8th season at Buena Vista (140-137)
2021 Conference Finish: 8th
2021 Record: 18-22 Overall, 8-16 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 1994/5
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 9/3
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 11/3
All-Conf Returning: Carlee Guyett (5th year, OF), Ashtyn Miller (Sr., P/INF)
All-Conf Lost: Michaela Mason (OF)
Mandie Nocita - "I think I speak for most of my players and staff that what we are most excited about is the chance at having a somewhat normal season again. Among other things, our team is looking forward to the normal schedule of DH's against our conference opponents again as opposed to the 3-4 games. We beat up on each other last year, and for as strong as our conference CONTINUES to be top to bottom, we are grateful to have a normal slate of 24 non-conference games before we get into the exciting grind of conference play. Not only do we have some great leadership and experience returning, but I am excited about the freshmen we will have making their debut. From top to bottom our roster is solid, and we are really looking forward to seeing what the future holds this season."
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| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Ashtyn Miller (Sr., P/INF) |
16-appearances // 3.52 ERA // 1 shut out // .228 BAA // .282 BA // 10 RBI |
| Carlee Guyett (5th year, OF) |
24-games started // .286 BA // 5 2B // 5 HR // 17 RBI |
| Peyton Gross (Sr., P) |
14-appearances // 5.64 ERA // 63.1 IP |
| Rylee Cain (So., C) |
24-games started // .329 BA // 3 2B // 9 RBI |
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No. 8 Simpson College
Head Coach: Brent Matthias - 5th Season at Simpson (66-81)
2021 Conference Finish: 5th
2021 Record: 16-18 Overall, 13-11 Conference
NCAA Tournaments (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2016/16
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 5/2
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 12/5
All-Conf Returning: Megan Crockett (Sr., OF), Randie Richmond (Sr., UTL), Karlie Hill (So., 1B)
All-Conf Lost: Cam Leo (OF)
Brent Matthias - "We are excited to work and bring our best to the ever-tough American Rivers Conference. From the players to the coaches, the A-R-C, top to bottom is the best DIII softball conference in the nation. We are fired up for the opportunity to compete!" |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Megan Crockett (Sr., OF) |
20-games played // .418 BA // 4 2B // 5 HR // 17 RBI |
| Randie Richmond (Sr., UTL) |
24-games played // .369 BA // 7 2B // 22 runs // 9 RBI |
| Liv Erickson (Sr., OF) |
13-games played // .379 BA |
| Karlie Hill (So., 1B) |
18-games played // .400 BA // 4 2B // 3 HR // 14 RBI |
| Taryan Barrick-Wessels (Jr., P) |
8-appearances // 3-2 record // 3.94 ERA // .344 BA // 3 HR // 13 RBI |
| Brooke Tucker (Jr., P) |
10-appearances // 3.15 ERA // 3-1 record // 1 save |
| Maddie Luderman (So., C) |
23-games played // .286 BA // 5 2B // 7 HR // 15 runs |
| Maxie Secada-Hurt (Sr., INF) |
12-games played |
| Liv Allen (Sr., OF) |
12-games played // 6 runs // 5 RBI |
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No. 9 Loras College
Head Coach: Ashley Winter - 13th season at Loras (183-233-1)
2021 Conference Finish: 9th
2021 Record: 2-27 Overall, 2-22 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5/5
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/0
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 11/7
All-Conf Returning: None
All-Conf Lost: Jessica Bulanda (1B)
Ashley Winter - "We have a resilient group of returners mixed with a talented group of newcomers. Their attention to detail and fire to succeed in the classroom and on the field has created a high standard. We are excited for the journey together. The conference will be as strong as ever and we expect to be competitive." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Ellie Schill (Sr., OF) |
24-games started // .233 BA // 2 2B |
| Jadyn Anderson (Jr., INF) |
19-games started // .264 BA |
| Kayla Stitch (So., P) |
13-appearances // 6.00 ERA // 15 walks |
