Bench_SB

Wolves Softball Picked 13th in NSIC Preseason Poll

1/25/2023 10:01:00 AM

Aberdeen, S.D. – The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released the 2023 NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches' Poll today with Northern State University picked 13th. The Wolves tallied 61 points in the poll. Liv Richardson and Lexi Chase were picked as the team's player and pitcher to watch in the upcoming 2023 season. Northern went 12-38 in the spring of 2022, finishing 16th in the NSIC with a 4-24 league record. NSU opens the season against Doane, Jamestown, and Morningside from the Presentation College Dome, February 10-11. To view Wolves full season schedule CLICK HERE.

Richardson was the lone Wolf named to the 2022 NSIC All-Conference teams. The infielder hit .385 with a .641 slugging percentage and .429 on base percentage. She tallied nine homeruns and RBI in her first season on the field. 

Liv is a great leader for our team. She brings a contagious energy to practices and game days. Liv has power and speed to her offense, and I think that makes her a fun player to watch compete. Defensively, she assists in locking down the left side of the field and gives our pitchers confidence that she has their back. Most importantly, she is a great teammate and human that we are lucky to have as a Wolf.
Ashley Schilling, Northern State Head Coach

Chase joins the Wolves after spending the 2021 and 2022 seasons on roster at Iowa Lakes Community College. She went 18-4 a season ago in 118.1 innings pitched. Chase posted a 1.77 ERA with 134 strikeouts and a .235 opponent batting average. 

Lexi is a competitor. She steps on the mound ready to go against the best! What I think teams will see in Lexi is her resiliency and trust she has in her defense behind her. She is an all-around great person that we are excited to have join our team this year from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Ashley Schilling Northern State Head Coach
This year's team brings an exciting personality and perspective to our program! We have a mix of returners, freshman, and transfers that have built their foundation during the fall on and off the field. This team has embraced the hard, the expectations, and the goals they have set for themselves. There is more ownership and in that brings excitement for this year's team and the 2023 season!
Ashley Schilling, Northern State Head Coach

The preseason coaches’ poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 15 to 1 with the top team receiving 15 points, second 14, third 13, etc.

The 2023 NSIC Softball season gets underway with non-conference play in February, while the 30-game NSIC schedule is set to begin on Tuesday, March 28. The 2023 NSIC Softball Tournament will expand to four days of competition and consist of the top ten teams in the NSIC final standings competing in a double elimination format on May 3-6 at the RYFSA Complex in Rochester, Minnesota.