Itasca is the team to beat in the new-look Northern Division
Carley Lake had one of the best seasons ever offensively for Rainy River last year, leading the team in runs scored (30), hits (46), doubles (12), home runs (7), RBIs (40) and total bases (33) in 32 games. She hit .505, slugged .912 and had an on-base percentage of .605. She earned a national player of the week honor, was named to the Northern Division’s second team and her seven home runs tied the school record.
Her plan this year?
“I’m going to do better,” she said Monday at practice.
Lake and fellow sophomore captain Samantha Alberts love the nucleus of this year’s team, and both think an improvement will be made on last year’s 15-17 record in a wet and forgettable spring, weather-wise. RRCC finished 9-15 in the division.
“It seems like we have a lot more confidence, too,” Alberts said.
The biggest difference on the roster is it actually has 12 softball players. For years the softball team has pulled walk-ons onto the squad from other athletic teams. Not this season.
“We have some experience. Talented group,” said RRCC head coach Dieter Humbert, entering his 7th season.
RRCC returns only two starters — Lake and Alberts — but the freshman core is where the experience comes from, even if they haven’t proven to be successful at the junior college level.
Danika Stelton became the first softball player from Falls High School to earn All-State recognition last year, and her Bronco teammate, Courtney Scholler, hit in the middle of last year’s lineup. Caitlin Medecke hit in the middle of Littlefork-Big Falls’ lineup last season, while Chrissy Frasz was voted to be a freshman captain, along with Stelton. Freshman KaylaRae McDonough will shoulder most of the pitching load this spring.
“The more we play, the better we’ll get,” Humbert said.
Itasca, which finished 25-3 in the division last year, is the heavy favorite in the new-look Northern Division, while Central Lakes and Fond Du Lac pose as big threats, as well.
The Northern Division was split into the Northeast and Northwest with RRCC holding a spot in the Northeast with Vermilion, Mesabi Range and Fond Du Lac. Itasca, Hibbing, Central Lakes and Northland make up the Northwest. Each division champion will qualify for the state tournament, while the next two playoff positions will be determined by a point system. Each team gets 2 points for a victory against a team from the opposing division and 1 point for a win in the division.
“I like to think we got a good chance to catch (Itasca),” Humbert said.
RRCC’s home opener is Saturday against Vermilion.
“Right now we’re about as healthy as we’ve been, so hopefully we can stay that way,” Humbert said.
2010 RRCC Softball Schedule
DATE OPPONENT TIME
April 6 at Fond Du Lac W, W
April 9 at Mesabi Range 3 p.m.
April 10 HOME vs. Vermilion Noon
April 14 at Central Lakes 3 p.m.
April 17 at Hibbing Noon
April 18 HOME vs. Itasca Noon
April 20 HOME vs. Northland 3 p.m.
April 23 HOME vs. Fond Du Lac 3 p.m.
April 24 HOME vs. Mesabi Range 3 p.m.
April 28 at Vermilion 3 p.m.
May 1 at Itasca Tournament (Grand Rapids) TBA
May 7-8 MCAC State Tournament (St. Cloud)
May 13-14 Region 13B Tournament
May 20-22 National Tournament (Rochester, Minn.)
