MOORHEAD, Minn. -- The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team resumes action this weekend with its annual trip to Florida. The Dragons will play 10 games at the HTC College Games in Clermont, Fla., beginning on Saturday against Stonehill and Ferris State.
The Dragons (2-2) had a solid trip to Florida in 2014, going 4-3 (three games were canceled because of rain).
This year MSUM opened by splitting four games at the West St. Paul Dome Tournament. The Dragons earned wins over Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State and suffered losses to Minot State and Bemidji State.
Senior shortstop
Taylor Huss is hitting .429 with a team-best three home runs for the Dragons, while junior second baseman/pitcher
Kristen Nordby is hitting .400 with a homer and three RBI. Senior catcher
Brittany York is hitting .375 with two homers and seven RBI while senior center fielder
Mollie Annen is hitting .375. As a team MSUM is hitting .314 with six homers and 23 RBI through four games.
On the mound junior
Morgan Nybo is 2-0 with two complete game wins. She has 14 strikeouts and a 5.50 ERA in 14 innings.
Kelsey Fehl is in her fifth season as MSUM's head coach.
The opponents (dates and times of games in parentheses):
Stonehill College (Saturday at noon): Stonehill is 2-4 on the season. They will play three games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. The Skyhawks, who were 20-25 a year ago, are led by sophomore Jacklyn Oleksak, who is hitting .500 with four RBI. Michelle Carbone is hitting .368 with two doubles. As a team, Stonehill is hitting .254 with seven doubles. On the mound, Sarah Ropiak leads the way with a 2-1 record and 2.29 ERA in 18.1 innings. Ken LeGrice is in his sixth season as Stonehill's head coach.
Ferris State (Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.): Ferris State is 4-16 on the season. The team has four games scheduled in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Through 16 games, Ferris State is led by Alyssa Smith, who is hitting .261 with a homer and three RBI, while Sarah Johnson is hitting .255 with three RBI. As a team, Ferris State is hitting .201 through 16 games with five homers and 39 RBI. On the mound Megan Hiler is 2-4 with a 6.88 ERA in 37.2 innings. Sarah Rotts is in her second season as Ferris State's head coach.
Philadelphia (Sunday at noon): Philadelphia will open the season in Florida and will play two games prior to facing MSUM. The Rams were 25-16 a year ago. Renee Kakareka is one of the top returnees offensively for Philadelphia after hitting .381 with a homer and 16 RBI. Meghan Loughery hit .371 last season. On the mound, Kasia Smith was 7-7 with a 3.41 ERA a year ago. Larry Cooper is in his first season as Philadelphia's head coach.
Minot State (Monday at 2 p.m.): Minot State is 11-2 overall this season. Jordan Grant is hitting .490 for the Beavers while Rachel Burdette is hitting .436 with three homers and eight RBI. As a team Minot State is hitting .349 with 14 homers and 77 RBI through 13 games. On the mound Mindy Lorimor is 8-2 with a 2.16 ERA in 58.1 innings. Bill Triplett is in his eighth season as Minot State's head coach.
Bridgeport (Monday at 4 p.m.): Bridgeport will open the season in Florida. The Purple Knights will play seven games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Bridgeport finished 19-29 last season. Jessica Griesinger hit .324 with a homer and 21 RBI last season while Katelyn Wall hit .312 with 17 RBI. The top returning pitcher is Alyssa Bua, who was 10-6 with a 4.34 ERA a year ago. Dawn Stearns is in her sixth season as Bridgeport's head coach.
Wesleyan (Tuesday at 4 p.m.): Wesleyan opens the season in Florida. The team was 10-22 last season. Jill Gately is the top returning hitter for Wesleyan; she hit .343 with five homers and 18 RBI last year. Susan Pardo is the top returning pitcher; she was 7-10 with a 2.32 ERA in 129.2 innings pitch last season. Jen Lane is in her 14th season as Wesleyan's head coach.
New York Institute of Technology (Tuesday at 6 p.m.): NYIT is 2-2 so far this season. The Bears will play eight games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Tori Duquette leads NYIT with a .615 average while Chelsea Gourdin is hitting .500. As a team NYIT is hitting .347 with one homer and 23 RBI through four games. On the mound Sofia Evangelista is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA. Stephen Christianson is in his 10th season as the NYIT head coach.
Wayne State (Mich.) (Wednesday at 2 p.m.): Wayne State is 7-8 overall. The Warriors will play nine games in Florida before facing MSUM. Through 15 games, Jade McGarr leads Wayne State with a .370 average, while Emily Bryce is hitting .311. As a team the Warriors are hitting .260 with one homer and 26 RBI. On the mound Lyndsay Butler is 3-4 with a 0.94 ERA in 52.1 innings while Briana Lee is 4-2 with a 1.47 ERA. Gary Bryce is in his 34th season as Wayne State's head coach.
St. Michael's College (Wednesday at 4 p.m.): St. Michael's College will open the season in Florida. The Purple Knights will play seven games in Florida prior to facing MSUM. They were 1-34 a year ago. Junior Judi Barcavage is the top returning hitter after posting a .239 average a year ago. Danielle DelGreco hit .233 last season. The team lost its top three pitchers from a year ago with only DelGreco (4.20 ERA in 6.2 innings) returning with experience. Robyn Newton is in her 15th season as St. Michael's head coach.
