Alums in Attendance

It's always great to see and hear from our Saints softball Alums. Yesterday at the game we saw Laura Heise (2003-06) and Kayla Kahilainen (2005-08). Thanks for coming, it was great to see you. For the rest of our alums you can find our schedule at this link.

And, for alums, parents and fans beginning next week you will be able to sign up to receive text messages. The plan is to have the ability to text you game results following the game. Check back on this blog next week to sign up.

WHEW!

WHEW! That's a huge sigh of relief you are hearing from me following yesterday's season opener. The results were a 9-1 loss in game one and an 8-1 win in game two.

As I've had time to digest yesterdays events I'm extremely happy with the results. Although there were disappointments in game one there were also numerous positives. I was mostly disappointed with our defense. We just didn't make the plays that I know we are capable of making and will make as the year goes. Perhaps it was nerves. Regardless, the miscues had a huge impact in the result as six of the nine runs were unearned. While Kayla Jenkins didn't have her best stuff I still feel she pitched well enough to keep us in the game. I was satisfied with our offensive performance with the exception of scoring runs. We had runners on in five of the six innings, hit some line drives right at people and were doubled up three times. I felt our approach at the plate was great. We are asking our players to be more aggressive and I think we got that from them.

As forgettable as game one was, game two was equally memorable. It all began with Jen Falk striking out the side in the top of the first in dominant fashion and it grew from there. Defensively, we were solid and offensively we made our ten hits go a long way.

I was equally happy with our veteran players as well as our first years. Chelsey Weiss scored first inning runs in both games, had two stolen bases and threw out runners from center at home and third. As a group they were 10 for 34 (.294) with 5 runs and 3 RBI's. The first years didn't show any signs of nerves as they went 7 for 20 with 5 RBI's.

It's always nice to get the first games out of the way. Now as we head into next weeks practice I anticipate the players being more focused on the little things.

Season Opener!

After 5 weeks of preparation, the Saints are set to take the field against UW-Stout in a doubleheader starting at 10:00 am at the Rosemount Dome. It is the first game of 2009 for both teams. Check back soon for results.

Hi to all reading this for the first time. Hope you come back on a regular basis.

This will be an opportunity for you to get updates on Saints Softball and general ramblings and thoughts that I have, related to softball of course, along with blogs from other members of the softball program. Please feel free to comment.

For those familiar with the Saints softball program you likely know our baseball coach, John Baggs. Coach Baggs in recent months has been diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. He is undergoing chemotherapy treatments and spends most of his time recovering from those. It's strange not seeing Baggs down on the floor with the baseball team. Since I came to St. Scholastica Baggs has been a good friend and great supporter of our program. I, personally, have learned a lot from watching his practices and talking to him about baseball and softball, and I know there have been a number of players in our program who have been fans and supporters of CSS Baseball.

Please keep John, Colleen, Maddux and Josie in your thoughts and prayers.

Meet the Team

The Saints welcomed 8 newcomers to the 2009 team in addition to the 10 returners.

#1 Jen Falk... Pitcher
Year: Sophomore (Transfer)
Hometown: Altona, MB, Canada
Previous School: Rainy River CC
Major: Biochemistry
Career Aspirations: Pharmacist or Optometrist
Self described as: determined, funny
Looking forward to: "Making it to nationals."

#2 Merryssa Tiedeman... Outfield
Year: First Year
Hometown: Zumbrota, MN
Previous School: Zumbrota HS
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: Unsure
Self described as: determined, introvert, hardworking
Looking forward to:

#3 Betsy Wehseler...Outfield
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Ironton, MN
Previous School: Crosby-Ironton HS
Major: Physical Therapy
Career Aspirations: Work as a PT in a rural hospital
Self described as: Hard Working
Looking forward to: "Playing ball"

#4 Mary Jo McNamee... 3B/Pitcher
Year: Senior
Hometown: Escanaba, MI
Previous School: Escanaba HS
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: Pediatrician
Self described as: rockstar, coke, rap
Looking forward to: "Senior year and a regional bid"

#5 Chelsey Weiss... Outfield...Captain
Year: Senior
Hometown: Escanaba, MI
Previous School: Escanaba HS
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: Pediatrician
Self described as: rockstar, coke, rap
Looking forward to: "Senior year and a regional bid"Year: Senior

#6 Theresa Tauer ... OF/Utility
Year: First Year
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Previous School: Wayzata HS
Major: Nursing/Pre-Med
Career Aspirations: Doctor/Nurse Practitioner
Self described as: nice, diligent, dedicated
Looking forward to: "Having fun, improving, learning, competition."

#7 Mya Gordon ...OF/1B
Year: Senior
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Previous School: Itasca CC
Major: Biology/Biochemistry
Career Aspirations: Work with dead people
Self described as: explorer, hippo, jokester
Looking forward to: "Senior year"

#9 Jena Dieryck... 1B/C
Year: First Year
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Previous School: Denfeld HS
Major: Exercise Physiology
Career Aspirations: Athletic trainer
Self described as: sarcastic, quiet, hardworking
Looking forward to: "Playing with girls who want to play and not just for an activity to do"

#10 Kayla Jenkins ...Pitcher
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Esko, MN
Previous School: Augsburg College
Major: Biology/Pre-Forensice
Career Aspirations: Forensice scientist
Self described as: outgoing, fun, hardworking
Looking forward to: "Playing with everyone"

#11 Robin Lake...C/1B... *Captain
Year: Senior
Hometown: Tamarack, MN
Previous School: McGregor HS
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: Maybe become a nurse practitioner
Self described as: positive, willing to work hard
Looking forward to: "Having a great senior year and kicking some conference butt!"

#12 Kristin Swartz... 2B... *Captain
Year: Junior
Hometown: Hermantown, MN
Previous School: Hermantown HS
Major: Business Management
Career Aspirations: Work for some big corporation in the Twin Cities
Self described as: workaholic, people-pleaser, prankster
Looking forward to: "Playing ball"

#13 Brynn Wollak... C/Utility
Year: First Year
Hometown: Stillwater, MN
Previous School: Stillwater HS
Major: Physical Therapy
Career Aspirations: Become a physical therapist in Stillwater
Self described as: compassionate, tenacious, determined
Looking forward to: "Getting the pure competition to better not only myself but my team"

#18 Jenn Shaw...Pitcher
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Northfield, MN
Previous School: Northfield HS
Major: Social Work
Career Aspirations: High School counselor
Self described as: crazy, quiet
Looking forward to: "Having fun and playing with the team"

#19 Erika Solin... SS
Year: Junior
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Previous School: Duluth Central HS
Major: Marketing
Career Aspirations: Undecided
Self described as: explorer, genius, cow
Looking forward to: "Getting better and a successful season"

#20 Michaela Carlson... OF
Year: Junior
Hometown: Alexandria, MN
Previous School: Jefferson HS
Major: Social Work
Career Aspirations: Get a job
Self described as: hardworking, fun
Looking forward to: "Playing ball"

#21 Sam Quenette... OF
Year: First Year
Hometown: Spooner, WI
Previous School: Spooner HS
Major: Psychology
Career Aspirations: Law Enforcement
Self described as: friendly, determined, hard worker
Looking forward to: "Helping me be a better player and to become part of a team"

#22 Kali Carlson...OF
Year: First Year
Hometown: Duluth, MN
Previous School: Duluth, HS
Major: Nursing
Career Aspirations: Anesthesiologist
Self described as: reliable, energetic, self-driven
Looking forward to: "Making and keeping new friends and to keep playing the game I love"