High hopes: Softball team ready to take on top DI contenders
After winning the Division I Independent Tournament last season, the NDSU softball team set its goals a little higher.
The team is now hoping to compete with the top Division I teams.
“We want to start beating the top-ranked teams this season. So far we have been playing with them,” junior pitcher Allison Bakke said.
The only ranked team the girls have played this season is Oregon, and the Bison lost 6-1.
Despite the setback to Oregon, the team has a 12-4 record, including an eight-game winning streak to start the season.
“We’re excited about the year,” said NDSU coach Darren Mueller, who was named Independent Coach of the Year in 2006. “We’ve been excited since the day we returned from Colorado and the Division I Independent Tournament.”
Mueller’s squad returns 11 letter winners from last season, and six starters.
Pitchers
The three-pitcher rotation of Allison Bakke, Bekki Rasmussen and Andi Padilla has already proven to be effective this season.
Bakke, who was named Independent Softball Pitcher of the Week in late February, has a 2-1 record and a 0.58 earned run average. Rasmussen helped NDSU win the College of Charleston Classic by tossing a complete game 3-hit shutout to clinch the title.
“I would say our pitching staff is our biggest key for this season. Bakke, Rasmussen and Padilla have big shoes to fill this season,” Mueller said.
Catchers
Sophomore Kelly Cantrell returns as catcher for this season. Cantrell was named 2006 Division I Independent Newcomer of the Year and had a .310 batting average.
Corner Infield
Jackie Currie will start at third base this season. Currie batted .279 with three home runs last season.
At first base will be freshman Melissa Chmieleski.
“We have already had some new people make some noise this year. Melissa is one of those people. She has made a good impact so far,” Mueller said.
Middle Infield
The cornerstone of the infield at shortstop will be Jennifer Morse, who came back from an injury last season. When starting at shortstop the Bison have a 20-11 record. At second base is Laurel Pipkin. Pipkin, who has already won an Independent Player of the Week in February, is hitting .302 on the season.
Outfield
NDSU returns its entire outfield from last year’s team in Lynnae Foshag, Grete Peterson and Erin Troup. Foshag batted a team-high .326 and Peterson hit .305 in 2006.
“I think we’re familiar with Division I now, we have that experience in our returning players and our younger players have a great deal of talent,” Mueller said. “I told our team before Christmas that we don’t look at ourselves as a transition team anymore. We feel like we are Division I now.”