Cobber Fastpitch Softball History

First Year of Fastpitch: 1987
All-Time Record: 286-359 (21 seasons)
All-Time MIAC Record: 188-222
Years in Postseason Play: 0

Cobber Fastpitch Softball Information
2007 Record: 12-22
Home: 8-4
Away: 1-9
Neutral: 3-9
2007 MIAC Record: 8-14
Home: 6-4
Away: 1-9

Neutral: 1-1
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 10/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/5

2008 SEASON PREVIEW

The biggest key for the Concordia fastpitch softball team in 2008 will be how well last year’s freshmen can step up and be counted on as team leaders in their sophomore year of play. The Cobbers could start as many as five sophomores this season and all will be counted if CC is going to better last year’s seventh-place finish.

The biggest second-year starter will be pitcher Erin Johnson (So., West Fargo, N.D.) who will take over as the team’s No.1 starting pitcher. Last year she led the team in earned run average with a 3.53 mark. She only started four games in 2007 but will be handed the ball in the majority of games in 2008. Her ability to keep batters guessing with her off-speed pitches will give the Cobbers a chance to stay in every game. She showed glimpses of successful collegiate pitching last year when she pitched a complete game against Hamline. In the game against the Pipers, who earned one of the four spots in the MIAC Tournament, Johnson gave up only two earned runs and six hits.

Pitching depth will be one of the shortcomings of the Cobbers in 2008. After Erin Johnson, the only other player on the team with pitching experience is Becki Zimmerman (So., Chokio, Minn./Chokio-Alberta HS). Zimmerman has only pitched in 3.2 innings in her collegiate career.

The field players will be led by senior Amanda Johnson (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle HS) who is a three-year starter at second base. Johnson hit .270 last year and in 2006 led the team in slugging percentage home runs and total bases. Joining Johnson as an anchor in the infield will be corner infielders Amanda Michaelson (Jr., Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) and Laura Johnson (Jr., Rochester, Minn./Rochester Mayo HS). Michaelson is a two-year starter who committed only seven errors in almost 100 chances last year at the hot corner last year. Her experience on the left side of the infield will help freshman shortstop Jamie Odden (West Fargo, N.D.) who replaces two-time MIAC All-Conference performer Kelli Nies who graduated last spring. Odden was the MVP of West Fargo last season and was a member of high school team that won three state championships. Laura Johnson is a two-year starter at first base who led the team in doubles (8) last season and was second in walks (10).

The outfield will be a different story for Stacey Holm’s crew. While the infield has three solid returning starters, the outfield will be a brand new group that will have to continue to grow throughout the season. Sophomore Emily Jensen (Benson, Minn.) is the lone returning starter from a year ago. Jensen started in 28 games in center field in 2007 and led the team in home runs as a freshman. She was also third in total bases. The other two outfield spots will have a mixture of players competing for the two spots. A pair of sophomores appear to be the leading candidates heading into the year. Zimmerman and Kylene Compton (Worden, Mont./Huntley Project HS) both have experience from last year. Zimmerman has shown some pop in her bat and has a chance to improve at the plate given regular playing time.

Another area of concern for Holm will be behind the plate where the team will have to replace four-year starter Shantelle Nogowski who was lost to graduation. Look for one of the eight freshmen on this year’s team to inherit the job. If no one can step into the role as the team’s backstop then Michaelson could be pressed into catching duties. If Michaelson heads behind the plate then sophomore Maddie Haroldson (Sartell, Minn.) will get the call at third base. Haroldson should be the team’s full-time DH this year. Last season she had one home run and two doubles in limited playing time. She has extra base power and had a slugging percentage of .321 last season.

If Holm can piece together all the different parts of another young puzzle then the Cobbers could be in the hunt for one of the four MIAC playoff spots come May.

2008 MIAC PRESEASON COACHES POLL

St. Thomas was voted first in the 2008 Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll. Gustavus, Saint Mary's, Saint Benedict, and Hamline rounded out the top five.

St. Thomas has won the last four MIAC regular season and playoff championships.

Regular season MIAC Softball begins on March 29 with the MIAC Playoffs running May 2-3.

Coaches voted for every team in the conference except their own team. Points were assigned for each vote (1 for first, 2 for second, etc.) Teams are ranked in order of lowest point total to highest with first place votes shown in parentheses.

2008 MIAC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. St. Thomas (10)
2. Gustavus (2)
3. Saint Mary's
4. Saint Benedict
5. Hamline
6. (tie) Concordia
6. (tie) St. Catherine
8. St. Olaf
9. Bethel
10. Carleton
11. Macalester
12. Augsburg