DICKINSON, ND- The Blue Hawk softball team will open up their 2020 campaign this weekend at the Presentation College Dome in Aberdeen, SD, February 14-15 with a pair of non-conference double headers both days. On Friday, the Blue Hawks will open up the season against #22 Morningside College at 1pm followed by Dakota Wesleyan at 3pm. On Saturday the Blue Hawks will take on former North Star Conference rival University of Jamestown at 11am followed by Dordt College at 1pm. (All times are Mountain)
In 2020 the Blue Hawks return only five players from last season's team that finished 27-24, after graduating seven seniors. Returners include juniors Jaya Allen, Emilie Sickler, Julie Knight and sophomores Rhea Paiva and Arjana Eilers.
"We are a very young but hungry team," stated head Coach Kristen Fleury. "Being so young gives us the opportunity to reload and grow together for the next few years".
The Blue Hawks have no seniors on the roster this year. "The sophomores and juniors have really stepped up to fill the leadership roles".
2019 1st team NSAA All- Conference pitcher Jaya Allen will return to the mound for the Blue Hawks again this season. After pitching 196 innings with 190 strike outs in 2019, Allen will be looked to a lot again this season. In addition to Allen on the mound, sophomore Arjana Eilers returns for the Blue Hawks. Freshman Dallis Mitchell of Phoenix, AZ and Paisley Garcia of Las Vegas, NV are two other pitchers on the Blue Hawks staff that will see significant innings.
Three junior college transfers add experience to the youthful Blue Hawk team. Trinity Anderson, a transfer from Dawson Community College brings tremendous speed to the lineup. In her sophomore season at DCC, Anderson stole 44 bases, scored 66 runs, and had an impressive .443 batting average. Katelyn Kubitschek, a junior from Glendale CC (AZ) will help the Blue Hawks fill a void behind the plate and in the batter's box. As a sophomore at Glendale, Kubitscheck batted .390 with 42 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Junior Olivia Hanke from San Diego, CA transferred from Southwestern College and will see time in the outfield.
In addition to freshman pitchers, Dallis Mitchell and Paisley Garcia, the Blue Hawks add five additional freshman to the roster. Sisters Kennedy Kuntz and Kamryn Kuntz, from Dickinson High School bring speed to the Blue Hawk lineup. Kennedy an outfielder by nature will also see some time behind the plate. Kamryn will cover a lot of ground in the infield with time at third-base, shortstop and second-base. The Blue Hawks continue their rich California pipeline by adding Bella Castillo, a third baseman form Gridley, CA. Madison Stephens from Las Vegas, NV joins the Blue Hawks immediately following the retirement of her sister, Kayla Stephens, who played for the Blue Hawks the last three season. Last but least Mia Rogerson, a middle infielder from Manitoba, Canada, will add to our middle infield.
"We are excited to see what this team can do. We have endless potential."
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