Game Time... The Dordt University softball team will make its 2023 season debut this weekend as they host the first of three indoor classics at the newly built
American State Bank Sports Complex.
The Defenders, under the direction of head coach
Jeff Zomer, will play four games in two days, beginning with a doubleheader against Peru State on Friday, Feb.10 at 4/6pm. Dordt returns to action on Saturday for a pair of single games, vs #11 Grand View at noon followed by a 4pm game against Buena Vista.
GPAC Preseason Poll...The Defenders were picked to finish sixth in the GPAC preseason coaches poll released on Jan.26. Dordt tallied 73 points, five points out of the top five where Mount Marty sits at No.5 with 78 points. Midland, last year's GPAC regular season champion, was picked first, followed by Northwestern.
Season Schedule...The 2023 regular season schedule consists of 46 games, 24 non-conference and a 22-game GPAC slate where the Defenders will play every conference opponent 2x (doubleheader).
Coach Jeff Zomer Previews the 2023 season
Dordt will host three indoor classics at the ASB Dome where they will play four games each weekend (12 total). The Defenders will then head to Florida and play 12 games over their spring break before returning home to host Dakota Wesleyan on March 25 to begin GPAC play.
Scouting The Defenders' Opponents This Weekend...
- Peru State Bobcats: 0-0
- Head Coach: Toni Closner (1st year)
- former All-American for the Bobcats
- Conference: Heart of America (14 teams)
- 2022 record: 10-26 (13th), 15-32 overall
- 2022 team stats:
- batting average - .275
- 3.5 runs/game
- opponent batting average - .367
- opponent runs / game - 6.3
- 5 starters, 12 players return
- key returners:
- Morgan Wilke (2nd team all-conf) : .350 BA, 23 runs, 23 RBIs
- Ellie Ohlde (HM all-conf): .292 BA, 30 runs
- Hailey Wessel: .372 BA, 14 runs
- Cheyenne Leach: 8-12, 5.75 ERA, 108.1 IP, 89 Ks
- #11 Grand View Vikings: 0-0
- Head Coach: Lou Yacinich(21st year)
- 635-405 record at Grand View
- 9 trips to the NAIA National Tournament
- 2 straight and 7 of last 8 years
- Conference: Heart of America (14 teams)
- 2022 record: 30-4 (2nd), 46-12
- won the NAIA Opening Round
- qualified for the NAIA World Series for the 1st time since 2006
- 1-2 record at the W.S.
- 2022 team stats:
- batting average - .322
- 5.8 runs/game
- opponent batting average - .217
- opponent runs / game - 2.5
- 7 starters, 16 players return
- key returners:
- Kaitlyn Moses (All-American): .376 BA, 33 runs, 10 HR, 51 RBIs
- Abby Sutten (all-conference): .370 BA, 46 runs, 33 RBIs
- Peyton Moffet (all-conference): .364 BA, 43 runs, 26 RBIs
- Rachel Anderson (all-conference): .346 BA, 21 runs, 40 RBIs
- Jessica Walljasper (all-conference): 20-4, 2.36 ERA, 136.1 IP, 110 K's
- Buena Vista Beavers: 0-0
- Head Coach: Sarah Richardson (1st year)
- appointed as interim coach in the fall
- Conference: American Rivers Conference (9 teams)
- 2022 record: 10-6 (1st), 27-15
- won regular season title, 1st since 1996
- qualified for NCAA regional play
- 2022 team stats:
- batting average - .297
- 5.2 runs/game
- opponent batting average - .263
- opponent runs / game - 4.2
- 4 starters, 6 players return
- key returners:
- Nataliah Murillo (AMC player of the year): .366 BA, 6 HR, 34 RBIs
- Chloe Wells (all-conference): .363 BA, 5 HR, 36 RBIs
- Jamie Wendt: .312 BA, 24 runs, 19 RBIs
- Kennedi Claycomb: 4-1, 4.01 ERA, 36.2 IP, 18 K's
Defender Notes:
- Head Coach: Jeff Zomer (14th year)
- 2022 record: 10-12 (T6th, 8th seed), 20-22-1 overall
- qualified for GPAC Tment for 10th time under Zomer
- 2022 team stats:
- batting average - ..238
- 3.3 runs/game
- opponent batting average - .247
- opponent runs / game - 3.3
- 4 starters, 12 players return
- key returners:
- Abby Kraemer (all-conference): 15-10, 1.29 ERA, 162.2 IP, 193 K's
- led GPAC in ERA and strikeouts
- has the two highest, single-season strikeout totals in program history
- Karli Olsen (all-conference): ..315 BA, 25 runs, 5 HR, 21 RBIs
- Chandler Schemper (all-conference): .291 BA, 21 RBIs
- Ivy Terpstra: .209 BA, 13 runs, 12 RBIs
