Live Stats
Aberdeen, S.D.- The Northern State softball team will kick of their 2016 season with four games from the Winona State Dome Tournament competing against Northwest Missouri State, Washburn University and Pittsburg State this Friday and Saturday. The Wolves are returning this year after compiling an overall record of 33-22 with a fourth place finish in the NSIC, behind nationally ranked Augustana University, Winona State and Minnesota State. Northern State has been selected sixth overall in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll for this upcoming season.
It was a team effort for NSU, as they won a single season record of 33 games, played a season high 55 games, and recorded the most homeruns in a season with 31 just a year ago. The Wolves have a wealth of experience returning starters
Kelsey Gale,
Kalie Maiden,
Macey Engel,
Brittney Lash,
Lauren Kunz,
Rachel Albright,
Missy Elkins,
Katelynn Dilts and
Michaela Liebl.
Senior
Kelsey Gale led the way for returning Wolves with a batting average of .310, followed by
Rachel Albright with .299. Defensively, NSU had two All-Conference Gold Glove athletes in
Kalie Maiden and
Missy Elkins, and finished with a team fielding percentage of .960.
On Friday, Northern will take on Northwest Missouri State at 9 a.m., followed by Washburn University 1 p.m.. The Wolves will then face Pittsburg State at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Washburn University once again at 3 p.m.
About Northwest Missouri State- The Bearcats are currently 4-0 after playing in the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic from Bentonville, defeating Rockhurst, Southern Nazarene, Upper Iowa and Missiouri S&T.
- Northwest Missouri went 26-24 overall in the 2015 season and 16-10 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
- Alexis Kelsey is currently leading the team with a .583 batting average, four homeruns and 10 RBI's.
- The Bearcats are led by head coach, Ryan Anderson, entering his 10th season with 328 wins at Northwest Missouri.
About Washburn University- The Ichabods enter the weekend with a 2-3 record after competing in the Sailfish Showdown in West Palm Beach, Fla.
- Washburn was 27-24 in the 2015 season and 14-12 in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.
- Through five games, Ashley Ruder leads the team batting .600, recording nine hits in 15 at bats.
- The Ichabods are led by head coach, Vanessa Becerra, in her fifth season. Becerra has compiled an overall record of 113-122.
About Pittsburg State- The Gorillas enter the WSU Dome Tournament 7-2 on the year after competing in the Southeastern Oklahoma Classic and the Arkansis-Monticelo 8-State Classic.
- In the 2015 season, Pittsburg State compiled an overall record of 36-19 and went 18-8 in the MIAA.
- Starting all nine games, Katy Remy leads the Gorillas with a batting average of .300, recording nine hits and six RBI's.
- The Gorillas are led by head coach, Elizabeth Economon, in her fourth season. Pittsburg State has recorded an overall record of 123-93 with Economon, and have never dipped below .500 in her reign.
