Mar. 17, 2004

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The 2004 Outlook
The Bemidji State University softball team, which finished 9-14 overall last year and sixth in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference standings, will be looking towards the 2004 season with lots of youth and high hopes. Of the six letter winners returning, five of them are either juniors or seniors. However, of the other eight on the line-up card, four will be in their first season at BSU.

Four players from the 2003 club, including the top hitter and pitcher in Katie Hurst, are lost to graduation. Head coach Amanda Went feels that it will be a tough job to fill those holes but the second-year general remains optimistic.

“We lost four seniors and somehow we have to fill those positions,” said Went. “I think the girls are ready and have caught on to the fact that they have to fill those voids. Thus far, some of the underclassmen have stepped up and taken on a bigger role.”

Pitching
The Beaver pitching corps will have to deal with the exit of senior Katie Hurst. Hurst finished her BSU career second with 287 strikeouts and third in innings pitched (390.2) and wins (24). One player to pick up the slack will be senior Leah Bowen. Holding down a 4-12 career record, Bowen was selected as a 2004 NSIC Pitcher to Watch. She had eight complete games while holding down a 2-5 record in 2003.

“Bowen has become committed to focus on her pitching and fill the void of Hurst,” said Went. “I expect very good things from her this season.”

Junior college transfer Katie McKenzie looks to bolster BSU pitching after a successful fall on the BSU volleyball team. McKenzie, who was first among all BSU volleyball newcomers in digs per game (1.59), was a two-year letter winner for the Hibbing Community College Cardinal softball squad.

“Pitching looks good right now,” said Went. “(Assistant coach) Jen Anderson has done a very good job with Leah and Katie. I feel McKenzie has made strides since moving into a pitchers role and making it her focus.”

Catching
One shake-up at the catchers position will move senior Jenna Grimsrud from the outfield to behind the dish. Last season, Grimsrud batted .280 in 10 games while mostly playing outfield. Coach Went feels Grimsrud can be better utilized with her catching skills.

“I wanted her to be on the field and this position was the best that I can use her for. She has a lot of skills and is very athletic.”

The Infield
Junior shortstop Lauren Wilson brings a steady glove in the field and consistent eye at the dish. Wilson, who is a 2004 NSIC Player to Watch, tied for the team-lead with 76 at-bats last season. A two-year starter at shortstop, Wilson has started in all 55 games in her career. Last season, Wilson led the team with 58 defensive assists, tied for tops with four base on balls and tied for second with 10 runs scored. On defense, Wilson held a 88.9 fielding percentage.

“Wilson has probably come in to the preseason in the best shape of her life,” said Went. “She has matured and been very good in taking the team under her wing and being a leader.”

Junior Jamie Fisher has solidified her spot at first base after playing at the catcher position a year ago. Fisher made 46 plate appearances in 2003, third among all returners, as she posted seven runs-batted-in, one homerun and had a .982 fielding percentage.

“I moved Fisher over to first because she is familiar with the position after playing there all through high school,” said Went. “She knows the game very well.”

Going into her second year at the third base slot is senior Shawne Koch. Koch, the starting point guard for the Beaver women’s basketball team, appeared in 18 games in 2003 on the diamond and had three RBI’s, one double and four runs scored.

Freshman Nikki Eckebrecht and junior Brenda Fritz will vie for time at second base. Both players will be putting on the BSU jersey for the first time in their careers. Eckebrecht participated on the BSU women’s ice hockey team this past winter appearing in 34 games as she tied for third on the team with 10 points.

Seniors Katie Anderson and Amy Shepler will back up the third base position. The two combined to appear in just seven games in 2003.

The Outfield
Five players will battle for three outfield spots this spring. Bowen, who brings a veteran attitude with 171 career plate appearances, doubles up her pitching duties with filling in at the centerfield position. The member of the 2003 All-NSIC Honorable Mention Team had 68 at-bats last season and recorded 14 hits, seven runs scored and a .206 batting average. She was second on the team in 2003 with 10 RBI’s and picked up her second career home run against Concordia-St. Paul, Apr. 12, 2003.

Sophomore Megan Woslager bring a touch of experience with starting in 10 games last spring. According to Went, she “has very good instincts and reads the ball well at the outfield position.”

Junior Jenny Dietz and sophomore Katie Gardas along with first-year players freshman Kris Carlson and junior MerriAnne Werder round out the outfielders position.

“We have Dietz, Gardas and Woslager, who have done a good job moving in to the outfield positions,” said Went.

“I think Kris will come in and step up for us. She is very athletic and has the potential to make an immediate impact in many phases.”

Carlson is a two-sport athlete at Bemidji State. Carlson appeared in 29 games for the BSU women’s basketball team this past winter. She averaged 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as the Beavers made it to the NSIC Tournament Semifinals for the first time in school history.

The Schedule
BSU, which was picked to finish sixth in the 2004 NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, will deal with a very difficult non-conference slate before getting into league action. Central Missouri State, ranked ninth in the final North Central Region polls last year, battles with the Beavers, Mar. 28 at the season-opening NW Missouri State Tournament. Then, No. 18 Nebraska-Omaha is looming down the road, Apr. 24 at the NSIC/NCC Crossover. NSIC action has Winona State and Minnesota-Duluth with WSU ranked in the top 10 in the region in 2003.

BSU, which will make just two home appearances Apr. 12 and 20, opens up the 2004 campaign at the Northwest Missouri State Tournament in Maryville, Mo., Mar. 27-28. The NSIC Tournament will take place in Moorhead, Minn., Apr. 30-May 1.

“I am not surprised with the polls (preseason) this year,” said Went. “This (ranking) is where we finished last year.”

2004 Bemidji State Roster
NO. NAME YR. POS. HOmetown
#1 Amy Shepler Sr. 1B/3B Detroit, Mich.
#2 Katie Gardas So. OF Monunds View, Minn.
#3 Lauren Wilson Jr. SS St. Paul, Minn.
#4 Jenna Grimsrud Sr. C/OF Anoka, Minn.
#5 MerriAnne Werder Jr. OF Browerville, Minn.
#6 Megan Woslager So. C/OF Hayfield, Minn.
#7 Katie McKenzie Jr. P/2B Hibbing, Minn.
#8 Nikki Eckebrecht Fr. 2B Hamilton, Ont.
#9 Kris Carlson Fr. CF Litchfield, Minn.
#10 Leah Bowen Sr. P/CF Hermantown, Minn.
#11 Shawne Koch Sr. 3B Clarence, Iowa
#12 Jenny Dietz Jr. 2B/OF Annandale, Minn.
#13 Katie Anderson Sr. 3B Salem, Wis.
#14 Jamie Fisher Jr. C/1B Big Lake, Minn.
#15 Brenda Fritz Jr. 2B McIntosh, Minn.

Head Coach: Amanda Went (Nebraska ‘01)
Graduate Assistant Coach: Jennifer Anderson (Metro State ‘03)

2004 BSU Schedule
Date Opponent TIME
Mar. 27-28 @ NW Missouri State Tourn. Maryville, Mo.
Mar. 27 @ NW Missouri State 9 a.m.
Mar. 27 vs. North Dakota 11 a.m.
Mar. 27 vs. Central Missouri State 3 p.m.
Mar. 28 vs. Missouri-Rolla 9 a.m.
Mar. 28 vs. Missouri Western State 11 a.m.
Apr. 3-4 @ NSIC Crossover Wayne, Neb.
Apr. 3 vs. SW Minnesota State* 9 a.m.
Apr. 3 @ Wayne State* 11 a.m.
Apr. 4 vs. Winona State* 9 a.m.
Apr. 4 vs. Concordia-St. Paul* 11 a.m.
Apr. 4 vs. Northern State* 3 p.m.
Apr. 6 @ MSU-Moorhead* 3 p.m.
Apr. 9-10 Concordia-St. Paul Tournament St. Paul, Minn.
Apr. 9 vs. TBA* TBA
Apr. 10 vs. TBA* TBA
Apr. 12 North Dakota 3 p.m.
Apr. 17-18 NSIC Crossover Crookston, Minn.
Apr. 17 vs. SW Minnesota State* 11 a.m.
Apr. 17 vs. Winona State* 1 p.m.
Apr. 18 vs. Concordia-St. Paul* 9 a.m.
Apr. 18 vs. Wayne State* 1 p.m.
Apr. 18 vs. Northern State* 3 p.m.
Apr. 20 Minnesota Duluth* 3 p.m.
Apr. 22 @ Minnesota Crookston* 3 p.m.
Apr. 24-25 NCC/NSIC Crossover& Mankato, Minn.
Apr. 24 @ Minnesota State, Mankato 11 a.m.
Apr. 24 vs. Augustana 1 p.m.
Apr. 24 vs. #18 Nebraska-Omaha# 5 p.m.
Apr. 25 vs. South Dakota State 1 p.m.
Apr. 25 vs. South Dakota 3 p.m.