SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - An opportunity to contend for a second national championship eluded Augustana a year ago, but the Vikings have the weapons to mount another assault in 2012.
Augustana opens the 2012 season with five games in two days in Las Vegas, Nev. The Vikings face Western New Mexico and Sonoma State on Friday and take on Metro State, Regis, and Grand Canyon on Saturday.
“This is a very motivated team,” said Vikings head coach
Gretta Melsted. “They work hard every day and have a drive like no other team I have coached.”
Last spring, the Vikings were a win away from joining the NCAA Division II championship party. A loss in the final game of super regional play erased a chance to match the 1991 team's national championship triumph.
Nine players who contributed to last spring's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference championship, NSIC Tournament title, Central One Region crown and runner-up finish in super region play are committed to taking the Vikings further in 2012.
Included are the top two NSIC pitchers and five players with batting averages exceeding .300. Excluding the pitching staff, seven Vikings started at least 51 games in 2011. Six players earned All-NSIC recognition.
“This is a very talented team, and we are looking forward to the start of the season,” Melsted said. “We have a fantastic senior class that has already put its stamp on Augustana softball and has helped return the program to the top of the conference, region and nation.”
The Vikings won the 2011 NSIC championship with a 22-3 record. It was their second consecutive regular-season league title. The Vikings were 50-11 overall. They led the NSIC in slugging percentage (.518), runs scored (377), RBIs (341) and home runs (72). Runner-up finishes included on-base percentage (.387), hits (555), doubles (93) and total bases (876).
Senior right-handed pitcher
Ashley Meyer was named to the 2011 All-NSIC first team, the Daktronics All-Central Region first team and the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Central Region second team. She compiled a 29-7 record and a 1.34 ERA.
Chelsey Durland, also a senior and a right-hander, forged a 15-3 record and a 1.76 ERA in 2011.
New to the pitching staff this year is redshirt freshman
Jenelle Trautmann, who sported a 24-3 chart in two seasons at Hastings (Minn.) High School. Melsted plans to insert Trautman into the rotation immediately.
Junior infielder/outfielder
Jenny Brown was named to the All-NSIC first team and the Daktronics All-Central Region second team in 2011. Her .422 batting average led the Vikings and was third best in the NSIC. She also logged a team-leading 86 hits.
Junior utility specialist
Theresa McMahon batted .343 and led the team with 16 home runs. She also had 13 doubles and 71 hits and drove in 46 runs. She was an All-NSIC second-team selection.
Senior infielder
Kelsey Kalkman hit .326 last year with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs. She was also chosen to the All-NSIC second team.
Elizabeth “Witt” Murray, senior catcher/infielder, brings a .376 batting average to the new season. She led the 2011 team in doubles (14) and was third in hits (68). She was named to the All-NSIC second team.
Sophomore outfielder
Lindsay Spanton hit .374 last year with11 home runs, a dozen doubles and a team-high 48 RBIs. She was an All-NSIC second-team choice.
Senior outfielder
Taylor Kapsch hit .278, while junior infielder
Brittany Coufal finished with a .258 batting average.
True freshmen
Elissa Reinsma,
Matley Jones,
E.J. Scharmer and sophomore catcher
Jordan Schaffer are new to the roster for the 2012 season. Scharmer is a transfer from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich, and Schaffer, who will redshirt this season, is a transfer from St. Cloud State.
“There are so many players that I foresee having a great season, from
Jenny Brown, who can place the ball anywhere in the infield and outfield, to
Ashley Meyer, who has more fire and drive than I knew she had in her, to Witt Murray, who has turned into a very consistent power hitter,” Melsted said. “This is a team that really defines the word team with each member truly being able to contribute and step up when called upon. They are a coach's dream.”
The Vikings are ranked No. 8 in the NFCA preseason national poll.
