The University of Minnesota Crookston softball program was picked to finish 16th out of 16 teams in the NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll.
Augustana was picked to finish first in the poll for the third consecutive season, while Minnesota State and Winona State were picked second and third, respectively. Minnesota Duluth and St. Cloud State round out the top five.
Minnesota Crookston enters a new era of Golden Eagle softball, as Nick Weinmeister takes the helm as Head Coach.
The Golden Eagles return Dana Zarn (Jr., IF, Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Jordan Peterson (R-Sr., UT, Lakeville). Zarn led the team hitting .325 and was tied for second on the team with three home runs. Peterson was the only other Golden Eagle to hit above .300 last season, finishing the season with a .302 batting average. The Golden Eagles will be young, but Alina Avalos (Jr., IF, Chino, Calif.) and Shaelyn Grant (So., C/OF, Grand Junction, Colo.) are both expected to make giant leaps and help out an offense that could be solid this season. Emerson Thompson (Fr., 1B/C, Lincoln, Neb.) is a freshman that should see the field early on in her career as well. Twin sisters Leah and Hannah Macias (Sr., OF, West Covina, Calif.) are also back and are in the mix in the outfield as seniors this season.
In the circle, the Golden Eagles will be new. Only Kamryn Frisk (R-Sr., P/1B, Anchorage, AK) returns for the pitching staff. Freshman Evie Stuck (Fr., P/1B, Papillion, Neb.) and sophomore transfer Thayda Houser (So., P, Seymour, Iowa) will more than likely be the 1-2 punch for the Golden Eagles in the circle. Pitching will go a long way to determine the success of the Golden Eagles.
Minnesota Crookston will take the field for the season opener on Friday, Feb. 4 against Valley City State from the Minot State Bubble. First pitch with the Vikings is set for 7:30 P.M.
Poll results –
1. Augustana (15) 225
2. MSU-Mankato (1) 209
3. Winona State 198
4. Minnesota Duluth 176
5. St. Cloud State 162
6. Concordia-St. Paul 160
7. Minot State 135
8. Southwest Minnesota State 128
9. Sioux Falls 117
10. Northern State 108
11. Upper Iowa 83
12. Bemidji State 62
13. University of Mary 58
14. MSU-Moorhead 37
15. Wayne State 33
16. UMC 29
