ST. PAUL, Minn. -   While the weather outside would put softball as one of the last things on most people's minds, the 2010 season opener is just three weeks away for the Golden Bear squad!  With a mix of experience and youth, the Concordia softball team landed in 7th place in the 2010 NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, released today by the NSIC.  Concordia returns eight starters to the field along with four highly talented freshmen to do battle against a Northern Sun Conference that will push every team to play its best, game after game.  The defending NSIC Tournament champions and NCAA College World Series participants of Winona State were the top pick in the 2010 poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches.

“We should be average for power in the NSIC this year, but above average in speed and in reaching base,” said 5th year head coach Bob Bartel.  “The conference will be tough, just like it always is, and I think it might again come down to the last week of play.  We want to be in the mix of things.”

The Golden Bears will have a better home field advantage this season with the christening of a brand new on-campus home, Carlander Field.  Located just behind the Gangelhoff Center and next to the CU baseball field, the ivy-covered walls and fences will give the softball field a more intimate feeling for the seven home doubleheaders of the year, starting with the home opener against Minnesota, Crookston on April 10.

While many returners have already proven themselves and have regular positions nailed down, there are also a variety of options open with the arrival of CU’s freshmen, leaving the opening weeks of the year to determine what exact lineup will emerge as a stronghold to best benefit the Concordia effort.

Starting with the hot corner and continuing around the horn, let’s take a look at this year’s Golden Bear roster...

Calli Brennan was one of three standout freshmen in 2009, securing third base with a fantastic, quick glove, great range to both sides and a cannon of an arm.  She batted .318 as a rookie with 13 extra base hits and her numbers are expected to look great again this season.

“Defensively and all-around, I think Calli might be the best third baseman in the NSIC,” remarked Bartel.  “She made some phenomenal plays in the corner last year.”

Taking the heat at shortstop is junior Sami Mattson.  Mattson helped the Golden Bears lead the NSIC in turning double plays last season, using her agile hands and glove in a team high 113 assists.  Mattson is likely to hit over the .300 mark this season with more doubles and homers, and her team will look to her to be a more consistent batter this season.  Recognized to have a great head for the game, Mattson anticipates the game well and most often plays the role of the “coach on the field.”

Continuing around the infield, we reach senior Anna Bjorlin at second base.  Likely the team’s best all-around player and a tremendous athlete, Bjorlin can turn a double play like no other.

“She gets to balls that I don’t think are going to be caught most of the time,” said Bartel.  “In our defense, we ask our second baseman to do a lot and she handles it extremely well.”

With Bjorlin, you know what you’re going to get offensively, as well.  She is tough to strike out and has a high on-base percentage, she hits the ball hard and is very much a clutch hitter.  Bjorlin batted .360 last season with 11 doubles, stole 17-19 bases and had a .955 fielding average.  She was an All-NSIC First-Teamer.

First base is one position that is likely to shuffle through a number of players, trying out several options early on to find out what is going to be best for the defense while also affording options to rest players. 

Senior Tiff Rodd secured the spot for much of 2009 and will definitely spend some time at the corner this season.  But Rodd’s adaptability as a player means she is well-suited to play virtually any position, with Bartel also eyeing her as a left fielder this year.  Offensively, look for Rodd to have her most consistent season.  She should hit for a higher average while also driving the ball over the fence and in the gaps.  Furthermore, she will likely continue to produce for the Golden Bears in clutch big situations, having always shown the ability to come up with a huge game-winning hit.

Senior Abby Brundidge will also get her share of innings at first base, splitting time with where she has the most experience as a designated player.  Brundidge is looking to be a top hitter again for Concordia, already holding numerous single game, season and career records.  She has a strong swing that produces plenty of extra base hits and a sturdy glove that put up 94 putouts and a .962 fielding average in her limited time at first base last season.

Freshman Amanda DeKanick will spend time at both first base and as a DP, working on developing her skills for the Division II game.  Another freshman infield option is Katie Feuerbach, who will spend the majority of her time on the rubber, but might also see time at third base.

The Golden Bear outfield will continue to be extremely quick, returning the team’s fastest players in sophomores Katie Anderson and Jamie Lindboe.

Anderson is a top right fielder who gets a good read on balls and is able to quickly close the gaps to limit extra base hits.  She emerged as one of the NSIC’s best bunters last season, reaching safely with 24 bunt singles.  As teams will be more familiar with the returning All-NSIC player this year, she has been working on drag bunting and will rely more on her regular swing and speed.

“Katie can swing as well as anyone on the team, so she will probably bunt less during NSIC games,” said Bartel.

Having reached safely on all 19 of her base-stealing attempts as a freshman and with the departure of career steals leader Natalie Mast, Anderson will be given the green light more often this season.

“We hope for her to steal a lot of bases, more than last year.  She is our fastest player and gets a good jump on the paths.”

Moving from left field to center this year is sophomore Jamie Lindboe.  Her strong arm and speed fit her best for the role, but her real damage is done as a batter.  Lindboe swung for a .355 average as a rookie and led the squad in extra base hits, gaining six doubles, seven triples and nine home runs.  Her numbers are only likely to improve with a year of experience under her belt.

“Jamie can change a game with one swing of her bat,” said Bartel.  “She is also one of our fastest players, expect her to steal more this year.”

Much like first base, the left field will be a revolving door for awhile.  Freshman Missie Feuerbach is in strong contention for the job, but as a catcher for all of her life, she has to get used to seeing the game from a different point of view.  Feuerbach will benefit from taking live balls in the SeaFoam dome all winter.  Her bat is also improving on a daily basis and, if she learns to be patient at the plate, she could be one of the best contact hitters on the squad.

Rodd is also likely to lend her fielding skills in left field, with Brundidge also possibly stepping into the position.

Now comes the spot where Concordia will see the most growth this year, in the circle at the rubber.  The Golden Bears have two juniors returning to pitch and another two freshman who are also capable of earning starting roles.

“It’s great to have the option of four different pitchers in a doubleheader,” said Bartel of the newfound depth.  “They will all get starts, we will match them up against our opponents and do a lot of rotating.”

Stephanie Schmikla has the most collegiate experience of the four throwers, leading CU with 18 wins in 205 innings pitched last season.  She uses her control and movement to get plenty of easy outs for her defense.  The curve ball has been her strength in the past, pitching opponents to contact.

Cassye McMahon is an inside power pitcher who won 13 games and threw 125 innings in 2009.  She has developed a curve ball to complement her inside game, and her changeup is getting better every day, according to Bartel.  McMahon will need to throw more consistent strikes to keep her number of walks down this year.

Bringing more of a strikeout game to the CU pen are incoming freshmen Katie Feuerbach and Ashley Kluever, who both throw in the low to mid 60’s.  Great things are expected of Feuerbach, who can also play both infield corners and has the potential to become a good Division II hitter.

Kluever has a chance to become an outstanding college pitcher.  She is working on several pitches and is learning to throw the ball hard every time. 

Catching for the CU battery is senior Nikki Scherr.  Defensively, Scherr has a fantastic arm, gaining plenty of key outs on throw-downs and holding many teams from running against the pitchers.  Look for Scherr to have her best offensive season yet, as she is showing signs of hitting for power during the preseason training sessions.

Missie Feuerbach will also see some time behind the plate, giving Scherr necessary breaks and also gaining experience behind the plate.  Feuerbach has a quick release on her throw and a strong arm behind it.

The Golden Bears open their season at the RMAC/NSIC Crossover in Denver, Colo. on Feb. 19-21.  They embark on an annual trip to Orlando, Fla. for 14 games from Mar. 6-13 before opening the NSIC season on April 2 at Bemidji State.  The team’s non-conference schedule should prepare Concordia well for the difficult NSIC slate.  They will play against four nationally-ranked opponents in non-league play.  The home opener and first games to be played at Carlander field are on Apr. 10, with a 12:00/2:00 doubleheader!

Concordia finished the 2009 season 33-23 overall and sixth in the NSIC with a 15-9 record.