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2011 Season Outlook
With the start of the season quickly approaching, the Dakota State softball team is anxiously waiting the opening of the 2011 season, which includes a nine-day, 12-game trip to South Carolina. The Trojans enter the 2011 season with seven returnees and ten newcomers to the program.
"We are very excited about the upcoming season based off of the development we have seen in our players over the past five months," said DSU head coach Ken Prorok, who enters his sixth season with the program. "The depth and talent we have on this year's squad has added a lot to the growth of our program. Because the gap between our starters and non-starters has narrowed, we have seen more competition in practice. Obviously that competition makes our team better; but from a coaching perspective, it has given us confidence that if we were to face an injury, we will be better suited to handle the situation than we would have been able to in the past."
Coaches
Ken Prorok will be entering his fifth year as the head coach for the Trojans. During his tenure the Trojans have been successful on and off the field, receiving honors both academically and athletically. Trojan softball players have earned 31 different recognitions during Prorok’s tenure including; 18 DAC Scholar Athletes, 5 All-Conference selections, 4 Gold Glove recipients, 3 player-of-the-week recipients, and the 2009 Freshman of the Year recipient. Under Coach Prorok, the Trojans have also been recognized nationally as a top ranked program in the following statistical categories: Batting Average #20 in 2006 (.334), Stolen Bases #22 in 2006 (82), Home Runs #33 in 2008 (.609 per game), Stolen Bases #23 in 2009 (82). In 2009, the Trojans saw five different players ranked nationally in nine different positive statistical categories.
Armando Rodriguez enters her first year as an assistant coach for the Trojans. He serves as the infield and hitting coach. Rodriguez is no stranger to DSU as he was the starting first baseman for the Trojan Baseball in 2008 and 2009. He ended his career posting a .325 batting average, a .490 slugging percentage and a .995 fielding percentage. During his senior year, he led the Trojans with a .392 batting average en route to a third-place finish in the conference.
Infield
The infield will be anchored down by 2010 DAC Gold Glove winner and Trojan co-captain, Leslie Neiman (Elkhorn, Neb.). Last season, she posted a .980 fielding percentage while improving her batting average by over 50 points from her freshman year. "Leslie has worked very hard this off-season and it has showed in her overall foot speed as well as her approach at the plate," stated Prorok. "We expect Leslie to have similar statistical improvement at the plate this season as well as for her to be a mainstay for us in the middle of our line-up."
The middle of the infield will be worked by juniors Ashley Stevenson (Victoria, B.C. Canada) and Jesica Alcala (Oxnard, Calif.). Last season, Stevenson posted a .331 batting average for the Trojans and was one of only two players to start every game for the Trojans. In 2010, Ashley led the conference with 129 assists. "Watching Ashley and her approach to the game this year has been a joy," said Prorok. "This season, she has found a renewed love for the game and it has shown in her work this pre-season. We expect Ashley to have a career year this season."
Junior college transfer Jesica Alcala makes up the other part of this very athletic tandem. Last season, Alcala hit .407 for Oxnard Community College. "Jesica is a true utility player for us and will see time in the circle as well as the outfield this season. She truly has made a home for herself in the infield," said Prorok. "She will start the season as our lead-off as we expect her to set the tone for our offense."
Freshman Jenna Basnight (Santee, Calif.) looks to anchor down the 'hot corner' for the Trojans this season. Basnight looks to become only the third freshman to start at third base for the Trojans in the last 13 years. "Jenna has good hands and makes solid decisions. She can defend the short game well with her great length, as she stands 5'11", and has the ability to throw from all angles. Offensively, Jenna will hit in the middle of our order as she has tremendous power," stated Prorok.
Outfield
The outfield will again be directed by junior Amanda Stevenson (Victoria, B.C. Canada), a 2010 DAC Gold Glove winner and Trojan co-captain. Amanda has started 89 games in the outfield since her arrival on campus. Last season, Amanda hit .328 for the Trojans while slugging a .420 and stealing in double digits bases for her second consecutive year. "Amanda is a joy to be around. She understands the game well and always wants to be pushed in practice," added Prorok. "Last spring, Amanda really came into her own as a threat in our line-up. We expect that she will pick up right where she left off and will have another outstanding season for us as she patrols center field."
Freshman Natasha Fritz (Hazel, S.D.) will look to earn the starting job in the left field. Fritz has great speed and already holds multiple speed and acceleration records for the Trojans. "Natasha flew under the radar of most college coaches as she is only entering her third year of playing competitive fast-pitch," said Prorok. "She has worked very hard to become a collegiate player and is poised to have an expectional year for us. Regardless of where Natasha hits for us in our line-up, she will put pressure on the opposing defense."
Junior Jessica Shaw (Port Hueneme, Calif.) is slated to be the regular starting right fielder for the Trojans this season. Shaw is another transfer from Oxnard Community College, where she hit. 344 last season while striking out only twice in 93 at-bats. "Jessica transferred in at break and has made an immediate positive impact on our program," stated Prorok. "Jessica has the abliity to play multiple positions for us and has strengthened our outfield." Shaw will find herself in the circle this season as well.
Catchers
Freshman Emily Kulp (Orange, Calif.) will start behind the plate on opening day for the Trojans. "Emily has proved over the past few weeks that she deserves to be our starter as we enter the season," said Prorok. "Emily is one of those players that shows the more you work with her and watch her that she does a lot of things technically sound."
Backing up Kulp will be junior Jayna Ackerman (George, Iowa), who should also see time in the outfield and as a designated player. Last year, Ackerman appeared in 40 games contributing in the same roles. During her career at Dakota State, Ackerman has recorded 45 hits, scored 24 times and is perfect in stolen base attempts. "Entering her junior year, it appears that the game has 'slowed down' for Jayna and she is becoming much more comfortable with our system," said Prorok. "She has shown great improvements this off-season and we expect her to continue to do so as the year goes on."
Pitchers
The pitching position is up for grabs with four pitchers fighting for time in the circle. Two of these pitchers have not pitched a collegiate inning while the other two have seen a fair amount of time in the circle, resulting in a combined 1.91 ERA in 162 2/3 innings of work.
Junior college transfer Alisa Balesteri (Seaside, Calif.) had 12 appearances in 2010, posting a 1.82 ERA in 61 1/3 innings of work. "Alisa will be a big option for us as a pitcher this year," said Prorok. "Alisa does a good job of keeping the ball down and is consistenly around the plate. This fall, she did a good of hitting spots and mixing speeds."
Freshman Brittany Tebbe (Colton, S.D.) brings additional depth to the staff. "Brittany is a very competitive and hard-nosed pitcher, who doesn't possess overpowering stuff but does a great job of mixing speeds," added Prorok. "She is a great compliment ot the rest of our pitching staff. We expect Brittany to compete for a solid amount of work in the circle."
Freshman Kristin Miller (Mitchell, S.D.) is yet another young pitcher added to the staff for the 2011 season. Kristin has had an injury-plaqued off-season and will be red-shirting for the Trojans this season.
Jessica Shaw and Jesica Alcala round out the pitching staff for the Trojans this season.
Utility
One of the areas that the Trojans have drastically improved upon this season is the depth and qualify of the utility players.
Senior Sarah Jones (Howard, S.D.) will see time in the outfield and as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter this season. "As a senior, Sarah has a strong grasp of what her role is and has embraced that role superbly. Sarah will be a spot starter for us and will be one of the first runners off the bench," said Prorok.
Sophomore Jessica McLane (Cheyenne, Wyo.) will compete at multiple positions including behind the plate. Last season, McLane hit .241 for the Trojans and appeared in 36 games. "J-Mac is another very powerful hitter with a tremendous amount of 'pop' in her bat," stated Prorok. "She has worked very hard this off-season. Jessica will get opportunities in a variety of roles for us this year. She embodies what it means to be a teammate as she is always there with an encouraging comment when someone needs it. She is a joy to have as a member of our team."
Freshman Kendra Knudson (Platte, S.D.) will see time as a spot starter in the outfield and as a pinch-runner and pinch-hitter. "Kendra is an extremely talented athlete and is becoming a better softball player on a daily basis. We have worked her out in the infield and the outfield this off-season," said Prorok. "With the desire to improve that we have seen from Kendra over the past few months, we have no doubt that she can have a huge impact on our program for years to come."
Freshman Chelsea Kruse (White, S.D.) will red-shirt for the Trojans' this season. "Chelsea has been a pleasant surprise for us," said Prorok. "Her work ethic and her desire to learn are both top-notch. Chelsea has improved greatly since arriving on our campus and continues to do so, on a daily basis. We are excited to see how she progresses throughout her career."
Schedule
The Trojans open their 2011 season in Myrtle Beach, S.C. on March 6th. The 2011 season marks the last season that Dakota State University is a member of the Dakota Athletic Conference as they will be making the move to an independent status for 2012.
DSU's first home game is scheduled for March 26th when they will host in-state rival Black Hills State University with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. at the Thue Softball Complex.
