Special Donor Issue - University of Minnesota, Crookston

Softball - The Golden Eagle Women’sSoftball team is looking forward to thechallenge of the upcoming season. Theteam opens the 2006 season with a SpringBreak trip to Pittsburg, Kansas to play inthe Gorilla Invitational. UMC will playeight games in four days in Pittsburgbefore returning home to play at MayvilleState on March 23. The first home gamefor the Golden Eagles is March 28 as theteam hosts the University of Minnesota,Morris. UMC will also host the 2006 NSICConference Tournament on May 5-6, 2006.The Golden Eagles return four dedicatedplayers from last year’s squad; KaceeBiederman (Senior, Captain), ChrisCarlson (Senior, Captain), Lisa Erickson(Junior, Captain) and Kristen Beyak(Senior). Inexperience will be the majorobstacle this season as those four playerswill be the only on the team to haveDivision II softball experience. The teamwill look to two college transfers and sixtrue freshmen to carry the rest of the loadfor the team. The hectic March schedulewill help solidify the line-up and gel theteam as a whole. Although young, theGolden Eagles look to be competitive withthe help of the newcomers. They are lookingforward to gaining experience andbecoming more competitive throughoutthe season. Pitching for the Golden Eagleswill be the freshmen duo of CourtneyNohre (Bemidji, MN) and BritneyWinkelman (Foley, MN). Both pitchershave good control and deceptive off speedpitches that will keep the opposition offbalance. Returning to call the gamesbehind the plate this season will be seniorChris Carlson (Hines, MN). Chris was aleader both offensively and defensively lastseason and is expected to make an impactthis season. Sharing time will be ItascaCommunity College transfer StaceyVillebro (Hill City, MN). Stacey has greatspeed and will be utilized any way she can;catching, in the outfield, or as a designatedplayer. The infielder positions have gonethrough almost a complete overhaul froma year ago. The only returner will be LisaErickson (Wadena, MN) at third base. Lisawill be looked upon to use her NSIC experienceto “quarterback” the infield. Theshortstop position will see a familiar face asCrookston native Shawna Steinbrink(Crookston, MN) who transferred to UMClast fall will take a majority of the reps.Tracy Nyhus (Almena, WI) will be theGolden Eagle second baseman for a majorityof the games this season. She will sharetime with Lorelei McGee (Moose Lake,MN) who will take most of her reps in theoutfield. First base will see a trio sharingtime throughout most of the season.Courtney Nohre and Britney Winkelmanwill share time when they aren’t pitchingwith newcomer Cassie Yates (Buffalo, MN)who joined the team following the completionof the Golden Eagle Volleyball season.Yates has outstanding speed and will alsobe looked upon as a utility player to pinchrun, play outfield, first base and be a designatedplayer when needed. The outfieldwill boast the most experience with thereturn of Kacee Biederman (Milaca, MN)in left field and Kristen Beyak (Calgary,Alberta) in centerfield. Playing a majorityof her time in the outfield will beMarybeth Eckstrom (Hines, MN), who willalso be looked upon as a courtesy andpinch runner.“The inexperience of the team will bethe biggest concern for me this season.However, our overall athletic ability hascarried us well past where we were last seasonat this time,” says Head Women’sSoftball Coach Mitch Bakken. “Ourdefense was solid again this fall so ourfocus will be putting runs on the board totake the pressure off of our pitchers. Theteam has been in the weight room andbatting cage religiously and I am alreadyseeing results. The team’s hard work anddedication will result in a more offensiveteam that will be a true competitor in theNSIC,” coach Bakken adds.Women’s Tennis - After a six year hiatus,UMC has reinstated their Women’s TennisProgram. Seven new players have joinedthe inaugural team this fall.The Golden Eagle squad consists ofsome local as well as regional talent. TaraContinued on page 26“Our defense wassolid again this fallso our focus willbe putting runs onthe board to takethe pressure offof our pitchers.”- Head Women’sSoftball CoachMitch Bakken25