Six starting fielders return in 2011
Expectations are high for Rainy River Community College’s softball team as six starting fielders return from the squad that went 24-14 last season.
The Voyageurs’ accomplishments in 2010 included tying for second in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference’s Northern Division and qualifying for the state and regional tournament before being edged out 4-3 in the regional semifinal against Itasca.
Though RRCC has lost two MCAC All-State players — Carley Lake, who broke the school record for home runs, and Danika Stelton, who has moved on to Bemidji State University — head coach Dieter Humbert, who has begun his ninth season at the Voyageurs’ helm, said he likes the team camaraderie.
A number of this year’s softball players had also been on RRCC’s 2010-11 national championship hockey team in Division 2 of the ACHA.
“I believe they enjoy each other and share the same passion to excel and achieve together,” Humbert said.
The list of returning players includes infielder/outfielder Brenley Anderson from Rainy River, Ontario, who was one of the top hitters in the nation last season batting .535.
Catcher Courtney Scholler of International Falls is back behind the plate. Starters have also returned from the right side of the infield — Littlefork-Big Falls graduate Caitlin Medecke at first base and Cally Tinkess of Rapid City at second.
Two returning outfielders of note include Chrissy Frasz from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, at left and Kyla Thorne from Finland at center.
Though Humbert lists pitching, experience, defense and offense among the team strengths, he also expresses concerns about the amount of depth.
Freshman Cateline Fafard of Dauphin, Manitoba, is the team’s primary pitcher. She threw 28 2/3 innings out of a possible 35 1/3 when the Voyageurs began the season last week with a six-game tournament over two days at the Rosemount Irish Dome.
Humbert said he expects Central Lakes, Fond du Lac and Itasca to be the teams to watch on RRCC’s schedule this season.
The Voyageurs would realize significant success in 2011 upon achieving their listed goals, which include winning the MCAC’s Northern Division, the MCAC, the northern regional and nationals.
