Game Time:

• The Dordt University softball team continues its 2025 season with a mid-week doubleheader against No.7 Northwestern 
• game times set for Wednesday, April 9 at 5 / 7:30pm
• Dordt is 5-3 in the GPAC, 16-19 overall
• Northwestern has won 15 straight and is unbeaten in the GPAC at 12-0, 32-5 overall

Game Details / How to Follow:

• Follow both games of the doubleheader via the Dordt Media Network as well as through the Dordt Live Stats
• Live Stats | Watch

GPAC Standings (thru April 7):

• #7 Northwestern: 12-0, 32-5
• Dakota Wesleyan: 9-3, 28-9
• Morningside: 8-4, 20-12
• #22 Midland: 4-2, 22-11
• Dordt: 5-3, 16-19
• Concordia: 5-5, 20-12
• Mount Marty: 7-7, 16-16
• Doane: 6-6, 14-18
• Hastings: 6-8, 18-16
• College of Saint Mary: 3-9, 5-23
• Briar Cliff: 1-11, 7-21
• Waldorf: 0-8, 2-23

GPAC Teams in the Rankings:

• two GPAC teams, Northwestern (#7) and Midland (#22) hold a spot in the current NAIA top 25 (April 2)
• both teams have been ranked all season long

About the Rivalry:

• the teams began the rivalry during the 1985 season
• Dordt is 33-68 all-time against NWC
• the teams have split (5-5) the last 10 games played and have split three of the last four doubleheaders
• last year: Dordt lost game one 6-1, earned a 4-2 win in game two
• last time Dordt swept: 2019
• last time NW swept: 2022

Defender Notes:

• current record: 16-19, 5-3 in the GPAC (5th)
• the Defenders will play a total of 22 conference games (11 doubleheaders)
• the top eight teams in the final standings qualify for the postseason tournament
• last time out:
  • the Defenders split a doubleheader played against Dakota Wesleyan last week in the Dome
    • game 1: 3-1 loss
    • game 2; 16-11 win
  • of note: Annabelle Hensley had a career-high for hits and Brynn Torrenga matched her career-best with three hits to pace the Defenders 16-hit attack
  • Alexa Kopaska earned the win and held DWU scoreless over the final three innings
• Head Coach: Jeff Zomer (16th year)
  • 304-326-1 overall record
  • all-time wins leader in program history
  • guided the Defenders to four straight 20-win seasons
  • led Dordt to the postseason 13 of his 15 seasons
• By the Numbers:
  • Offense:
    • 5 runs / game
    • 8.1 hits / game
    • .297 batting average (8th in GPAC)
  • Defense:
    • 4.4 runs / game
    • 7.1 hits / game
    • .272 batting average
    • 3.70 ERA (7th in GPAC)
• Leaders:
  • Chloe Kreuz - .407 BA (8th in GPAC), 46 hits, 17 extra-base hits, 30 RBI
  • Annabelle Hensley - .358 BA, 21 runs, 14 2B (1st), 26 RBI
  • Brooklynn Cox - .352 BA, 29 runs, 13 RBI, 13-15 SB (7th)
  • Brooke Rule - .336 BA, 29 runs, 16-17 SB (11-game hit streak)
  • Chloe Kreuz - 8-10 record, 2.92 ERA, 117.1 IP (2nd), 88 K's (9th)

Scouting Report:

• No.7 Northwestern Red Raiders:
  • 2025 record: 32-5, 12-0 (1st) in GPAC
    • won 15 straight, not lost since Valley City State (N.D.) on March 8
      • most recent: 
        • swept Concordia on Friday, April 4; 9-0 and 6-2
  • Head Coach: Shane Bouman (7th year)
    • 2019 - 1st year
    • has over 100 wins at NWC, over 400 in his coaching career
    • 2x GPAC Coach of the Year (2023-24)
    • guided the Raiders to back-to-back trips to the NAIA Championship - Opening Round
  • GPAC preseason poll: picked 1st of 12 teams
  • last year: 19-3 (1st), 50-7 overall (school record win total)
    • finished ninth in the NAIA poll
    • went 2-2 in the opening round
  • return seven starters, three of four top pitchers
    • lost No.1 starter and top hitter
  • By the Numbers:
    • Offense:
      • 6.7 runs / game
      • 8.7 hits / game
      • .340 batting average (2nd in GPAC)
    • Defense:
      • 2.8 runs / game
      • 6.3 hits / game
      • .246 batting average
      • 2.36 ERA (2nd in GPAC)
  • Leaders:
    • Gwen Mikkelsen - 2023 All-American / GPAC Player of Year; 3x all-conference: .440 BA (2nd), 6 HR, 41 RBI (2nd)
    • Sydney Jacobs - .411 BA (10th), 34 runs, 15 RBI
    • Chloe Gallegos - 2x all-conference, .395 BA, 16 runs, 25 RBI
    • Maddie Kvatek - .385 BA, 17 runs, 25 RBI
    • Ashtyn Billings - all-conference, .354 BA, 34 runs
    • Kate Kralik - 2x all-conference; 16-3 (1st in wins), 1.90 ERA, 110.1 IP (3rd), 104 K's (3rd)
    • Ellie Jacobson: 7-0, 1.91 ERA, 44 IP, 36 K's