Season Preview: Softball begins 2018 campaign this weekend

MEQUON, Wis. – The Concordia University Wisconsin Softball Team is set to begin its 2018 campaign this weekend at the Finlandia Dome Tournament. The Falcons won 31 games last season, second-most in program history, and are ready to get things rolling this spring. CUWFalcons.com gets you ready for the 2018 Softball Season.  

REPLACING KEY PLAYERS: The Falcons will have to replace some key players from last season's team. Four players who appeared in all 43 games last year, along with Emily Brekke, who made 24 starts in the circle, are all gone. Three of those players, Brekke, Carly Sobrilsky, and Lexi Holsten were All-Region performers in 2017. Deidra Weinberger was an All-Region selection in 2016 and Christine Sharon played all 43 games at second base for the Falcons last spring.

RETURNERS: The Falcons still have plenty of talent returning this season, led by junior Maddie Zazas and sophomore Molly O'Connell, First Team All-NACC selections last spring. Zazas hit .358 and scored 35 runs with eight doubles, five triples, two home runs, and 33 RBI. O'Connell led the Falcons with 60 hits. She posted a .408 average and scored 30 runs, while also serving as the No. 2 pitcher. In the circle, O'Connell threw 83 innings with a 2.70 ERA and a 9-5 record.

Also back in the fold are seniors Jamie Reiser and Allison Peters. Reiser hit five home runs and drove in 29 last season with a .336 batting average and a .441 on-base percentage. Peters batted .365 with 21 runs scored and 22 RBI. Junior Sara Rosenow is a two-year starter in center field for the Falcons. She stole 19 bases last season and scored 29 runs.

ROLES TO FILL: With the losses of five starters, CUW will certainly be looking to new players to step up this season. The Falcons have plenty of talented options to choose from, including some who saw limited action last year. Becky Bonnin appeared in 15 games and drove in seven runs for the Falcons, while Shelby Fischer hit a two-run home run in her first career collegiate at-bat. Emma Schimberg appeared in 18 games for the Falcons, scoring seven runs. In addition, the Falcons have two players in Emma Fullenkamp and Samantha Schumacher, who missed last season due to injuries but are back in the fold this spring.

Nicole Lewis and Amy Kornowski are two returning pitchers who could see more action with the loss of Brekke. Lewis threw 10.2 innings last year, while Kornowski made three appearances in the circle. Freshmen Jenna Pozezinski and Katelyn Kohl are newcomers to the Falcons staff.

The Falcons welcomed in an eight-player freshmen class. In addition to Pozezinski and Kohl, Kalli Roulette, Janelle Wotruba, Taylor Nelson, Lauren Christie, Carly Upmann, and Heather Renard are all set for their first year of collegiate softball.

EXPECTATIONS: The Falcons were predicted first in the NACC Preseason Poll, a sign of respect from other coaches and sports information directors around the league. CUW placed second last year with a 17-5 league record and finished second in the NACC Tournament, falling in the second championship game to Benedictine.  

FINLANDIA DOME TOURNAMENT: CUW has opened up at the Finlandia Dome Tournament every year since the 2006 season. The Falcons own an 18-31 record at the event, including a 3-1 record last season.  
CUW will take on three of the same four opponents as last season in UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior. The Falcons defeated UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point last year and dropped a one-run game against UW-Superior. CUW will also battle St. Scholastica in the dome.

DOME TOURNAMENT LIVE COVERAGE: Finlandia University will provide live video for all tournament games. Those links can be found on the CUW Softball Schedule page.