Softball Preview

The theme this year is “three peat” as the Riverland Community College’s softball team hope to make it three years in row to the MCAC state tournament.  Coming off a 13-17 year and a fourth place finish in last year’s spring classic, the Lady Blue Devils return only three sophomores and will have its work cut out for them. 

Leading the way is right fielder Jill Radke, who batted .457 and led the team in RBIS (29) and doubles (11). Radke was selected as one of three All-Division players for Riverland last year but the only one returning.  Catcher Carmen Smith (.276) and pitcher Kaylee Newman (pitched in 25 games 62 innings) are the other two returning veterans Coach Dave Lillemon is counting on heavily. 

An outstanding recruiting class will bolster the lineup and Lillemon believes this team has the ability to top last year’s accomplishments.  “We are very athletic and I think we will be a very good offensive team. 

Our team speed is good and defensively we have players who can move around to play other positions” says Lillemon.  “I really like this team and the key will be how far our pitching develops as the season progresses.  Newman has a lot of experience and is being looked upon as our leader.  Anna Breault has improved immensely since the fall and will be the other mainstay on the mound”.   Coach Lillemon continued, “we are very deep at the catching position, led by standout Daniele Lynch from Houston”. Others seeing duty behind the plate could be Laura Meyer, Rachael Knopps, along with veteran Carmen Smith.  Meyer will clearly be our leader as she is tremendous athlete and has the maturity and leadership roles Lillemon is looking for. Laura will play centerfield most of the year but could see some duty at 2B or behind the plate. She has a great arm and bats from the left side. 

The remaining roster will see Chelsey Swanson and Breault battling it out for first base, Andrea Exline and Christy Van Dyke at second, Mandy May and Justine Sandvick at shortstop, and Liz Triplett at third base.  Sandvick is a sophomore transfer and can play multiple positions and likely will play more infield.  Rounding out the outfield along with veteran Jill Radke and Meyer is Thenedra Corey, a quick outfielder who will really add to the Lady Blue Devils left handed hitting squad (switch hitter).  Riverland could bat four left-handers at any given point. “This lineup will be very tough to defend and our left-handers will really give us an advantage” says Lillemon. “ We have some power and will be a very aggressive team on the base paths”.   The Lady Blue Devils open the season on March 16th against Mesabi Range C & TC in the Irish Dome located in Eagan, Minnesota. 

They will play a total of 8 games over spring break in the Irish Dome before they open their outdoor season March 23rd against Iowa Lakes at home. 

A thirty-eight game season is scheduled (20 games in the conference) with the top four teams in the southern division advancing to the MCAC state tournament. 

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Athletics: Fastpitch Softball: Softball Clinic
Page Last Updated: February 10, 2009 8:50 AM