Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern State softball team opens the 2019 season this week in Aberdeen, from the Presentation College dome. The Wolves will face-off against Jamestown and Dakota Wesleyan at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Friday, and Dordt College and Valley City State at 5 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats will be available for the contests, and admission will be charged each day.
 
Quick Hits on the Wolves

• Northern was picked fifth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll with Jamie Fisher and Courtney Sjerven tabbed as the players to watch
• The Wolves are coming off a 29-22 season and a trip to the NSIC Conference Tournament where they went 1-2
• NSU returners 14 players from a season ago, including eight starters
• All-Conference performers Fisher, Sjerven, and Thompson (Gold Glove) return for the Wolves this season
• Sjerven and Thompson led the team a season ago hitting .395 on the year. Sjerven tallied a team high 66 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, and 38 RBI, while Thompson led the team with five home runs
• Fisher broke four single season school records in 2018 with 42 pitching appearances, 27 complete games thrown, 231.2 innings pitched, and 22 wins
• They welcome six newcomers to the program
• Northern is under the direction of second year head coach Jenny Fuller

 
About Jamestown

• The Jimmies opened the 2019 season last weekend in Aberdeen going 4-1 overall
• They are coming off a 44-10 season in 2018 and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament
• Jamestown was picked second in the GPAC Preseason Coaches' Poll in just their first season as a conference member
• UJ is ranked No. 24 in the preseason NFCA NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll
• The Jimmies are led by head coach Kevin Gall in his 19^th season at the helm

 
Last Match-up

• Northern is 23-46 all-time versus Jamestown, with the last meeting coming in the 2012 season where the Wolves swept the Jimmies 8-5 and 8-1

 
About Dakota Wesleyan

• The Tigers opened the season at the Presentation dome last weekend with a 1-3 record overall
• They went 15-25 overall a season ago
• DWU is led by head coach Ed Kieff in his seventh season at the helm

 
Last Match-up

• The Wolves defeated the Tigers 3-1 a season ago from the PC dome
• Shayla Steinley led the team going 3-for-4 with a run scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases
• Makenzie Merritt tallied the win on the mound, while Jamie Fisher recorded the save
• Northern is 9-1 all-time versus Dakota Wesleyan

 
About Dordt College

• The Defenders will also open the 2019 season this weekend
• Dordt went 24-20 a season ago
• DC is led by head coach Jeff Zomer in his tenth season with the program

 
Last Match-up

• The Wolves are 0-1 all-time versus Dordt College, meeting last during the 2003 season where they fell 7-4

 
About Valley City State

• The Vikings opened 2019 last weekend with a 4-0 record from the PC dome
• Valley went 39-12 overall a season ago, and were picked to win the North Star Athletic Association this season
• VSCU is ranked No. 25 in the preseason NFCA NAIA Top-25 Coaches Poll
• Valley City is led by head coach Michael Mook in his fourth season at the helm

 
Last Match-up

• The Wolves fell to the Vikings 6-5 in ten innings from the PC dome a season ago
• Jamie Fisher led the returners going 2-for-5 at the plate with a double. She did however suffer the loss on the mound giving up six earned runs with just one strikeout
• Northern is 25-28 all-time versus Valley City State