Here it is June 29th and I'm finally getting around to wrapping up the 2009 season which ended eight weeks ago. What have I been doing you ask. Well, I have put on 6000 miles driving around Minnesota and Wisconsin looking for future Saints, along with a trip to the College World Series in Oklahoma City and a trip to Winnipeg. Yes, I'm a little road weary.
As I reflect on our season I am happy with the results. We set out to accomplish three goals: 1) Be the best Independent team in the Midwest Region, 2) Be ranked in the top ten in the region, and 3) Be the best team in the UMAC. Although we only succeeded at our third goal I still feel it was a successful year. We had two huge wins late in the season. The first was a 3-1 win over Eau Claire avenging two earlier losses and the second was a 4-3 win over Gustavus Adolphus. Gustavus went on to finish third in the country so I think it proves we can compete at a high level. In addition, we became the first team in the UMAC to go 24-0, winning the regular season and post season championships.
I think the biggest surprise throughout the season was the power we demonstrated at the plate. We hit 31 home runs, which was only two short of a team record set in 2006. We were led at the plate by freshman Theresa Tauer (3B, Wayzata) who belted nine over the fence and knocked in a team high 47 RBI. The freshman class hit a total of 20 homeruns, including six by Brynn Wollak (C/DH, Stillwater), and four by Merryssa Tiedeman (OF, Zumbrota-Mazappa).
Junior Kristin Swartz (2B, Hermantown) was steady all year both offensively and defensively earning the UMAC Player of the Year award, while hitting .393 with a .724 Slugging percentage and .956 fielding percentage. Both Swartz and Tauer were second team All-Region picks.
Newcomer Jen Falk (P, Altona, MB, Canada) and sophomore Kayla Jenkins complimented each other on the mound. They recorded 15 and 14 wins, respectively, and combined for a 2.21 ERA.
Seniors Chelsey Weiss (OF, Brainerd), Mary Jo McNamee (3B/P, Escanaba, MI), Robin Lake (C, McGregor) and Mya Gordon (1B, Duluth) were without a doubt the hardest working class I've EVER had while at St. Scholastica. Their selfless commitment and leadership to the softball program has left a lasting legacy that have set the standard high for future classes. I am proud to have known them and coached them.
This is an exciting time for Saints softball and I am looking forward to what lies ahead of us.
