Softball | 2/26/2019 8:59:00 AM
MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Minnesota State University Moorhead softball team will play outdoors for the first time this season when it opens play at the NTC Spring Games on Friday in Clermont, Fla. MSUM opens on Friday against the College of St. Rose (1:15 p.m. Central) and Felician (3:30 p.m. CT).
The Dragons are 0-8 to open the season after competing in a pair of indoor dome tournaments.
Sophomore pitcher
Becky Berth has a homer and two RBI and is hitting .556 in nine at-bats. Sophomore outfielder
Elizabeth Johnson is hitting .333 with two RBI and also has a .429 on-base percentage while sophomore first baseman
Ashley McCance is hitting .300 with two RBI. Senior shortstop
Taylor Roddie has a homer and a team-high five RBI.
Berth is 0-4 with a 4.44 ERA in 41 innings on the mound. She has 23 strikeouts.
Amanda Reckamp is in her first season as the MSUM head coach.
The Opponents
Saint Rose
The College of St. Rose opens its 2019 season in Florida on Thursday with two games. The Golden Knights were 13-25 a year ago. Ryane Brush returns after hitting .325 with six homers and 28 RBI a year ago while sophomore Emily Kurtzner was 6-11 with a 4.31 ERA on the mound. Abby Arceneaux is in her sixth season as the St. Rose head coach.
Felician
Felician is 2-3 on the year and will face UMary in Florida prior to facing MSUM. Keelee Davis is hitting .538 with three doubles for the Golden Falcons while Krystina Lorch is hitting .462 with three RBI. Alexis Durando is in her third season as the Felician head coach with a record of 43-54.
Assumption
Assumption opens the season in Florida and will play one game prior to facing MSUM. The Greyhounds were 19-16 a year ago. Julia Mazzeo hit .286 with nine RBI to lead the returnees for Assumption. Mia Nowicki returns on the mound after going 8-6 a year ago. Jon Landino is in his second season as the Assumption head coach.
Czech Republic
MSUM will face the Czech Republic National Team on Sunday at 2:45 p.m. Central time. The Czech team has played some games in Florida already, including three wins on Feb. 24. The team's record is 6-5 so far in 2019.
Alderson Broaddus
Alderson Broaddus is 0-2 on the season after being swept by Newburry College on Feb. 15. Marybeth Strickler is hitting .667 to start the year to lead the address. Jordyn Kenneally and Brianna Burger each are 0-1 on the mound. Luke Shamblin is in his first season as Battlers' head coach. The Dragons will play the Battlers twice in Florida.
Edinboro
Edinboro opens the season in Florida. The Fighting Scots were 6-25 a year ago. Shannon Gilbert hit .336 a year ago while Danna Heh hit .330. Carley Nasca was 3-9 with a 4.80 ERA last season. Dan Gierlak is in his 30th season as the Edinboro head coach with a record of 454-614-5.
Nyack
Nyack, under the direction of head coach Jeff Aumend, opens the season in Florida. The Warriors finished 11-31 a year ago. Erin O'Brien hit .371 with two homers and 15 RBI a year ago. Brittany Blair was 5-17 on the mound with a 5.80 ERA.
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce opens the season in Florida. The Ravens were 11-24 a year ago. . Junior Ashley Conway hit .333 a year ago while Kaitlyn Rooney hit .324. Freshman pitcher Cyrena Zemaitis was 8-9 with 1.90 ERA. Andrew Klaus is in his first season as the FPU head coach.
University of the Sciences
University of the Sciences opens the season in Florida. The Devils were 12-32 a year ago. Madison LaPlante hit .326 with three homers and 18 RBI a year ago. Senior Kaitlyn Gaynor was 7-10 with a 3.27 ERA last season.
Shannon Padula is in her third season as the USciences head coach.
