Trine University, IN (MIAA)

The Thunder had an outstanding 2019 campaign while finishing third at the Divison III NCAA National Championships. This program has reached the NCAA Regional tournament for twelve straight years in a row. Some top players to keep an eye on the offensive end are Michaela Hartline, and Mercede Daugherty. They also bring back Hanna Kampmann in the circle. This program is historically successful so expect this crew to bring it this season.

Moravian College, PA (Landmark)

The Greyhounds enter 2020 coming off of an impressive 32-7 record. Top pitchers Alexandria Scheeler and Paige Lesher will be back this season. Scheeler also plays a big part on the offensive end with a .474 batting average and leading in the doubles category with 12. The two of them combined for a 1.89 ERA last season. Some of the top hitters return as well, including Maddisen Bieber who led the team in hits with 58. Another key player returning is Brooke Wehr, who led in runs with 44. Their talent and experience should shine at THE Spring Games. 

Kean University, NJ (NJAC)

The Cougars ended their 2019 season in the Regional Championship game wrapping up a 37-6 record. We won’t be seeing All-Americans Caroline Ratti and Jacqueline Riley. Despite losing Riley on the mound, they return Taryn DiGiacomo who had a great 2019 season going 17-4. They may be losing some strong senior talent, but this team has the potential to have a great showing this season.

Ithaca College, NY (Liberty)

After losing some key senior players, including top hitter Vanessa Brown, the Bombers have plenty of talent returning. They bring back an impressive pitching staff led by the 2019 Liberty League Pitcher of the Year, Beth Flemming, who racked up 116 strikeouts with a 1.16 ERA.  Joining her in the circle is Emily Holden who held a .66 ERA last season in 64 innings pitched. Some key offensive players coming back are Gabby Laccona and Abby Shields. The Bombers ended their 2019 campaign at Super Regionals, but have plenty of experience to give this team a great run this season.

Manhattanville College, NY (MAC)

The Valiants had an impressive 2019 season while winning their fourth straight MAC Freedom title and making it to the NCAA Regional Tournament while putting together a 41-4 record. They lose a large group of talented seniors, including their top two pitchers, but will have some key players returning. Two players to be on the lookout for are Giovanna Liggett and Isela Casillas. Casillas led the Valiants and the entire MAC Freedom conference with 45 runs. With this young roster, expect to see a talented, new mix at THE Spring Games.

Coe College, IA (ARC)

The Kohawks are going to have some big holes to fill in their lineup this season after losing the A-R-C’s pitcher of the year, Alyssa Olson, and player of the year, Haley Jones. Both also took home All-American honors as well. Some key offensive players returning are Kelsy Hora and Taylor Huber. To help fill the shoes of Olson in the circle, they bring back Bailey Smith with 118 innings under her belt last season. It will be fun to see what players set up this season to lead this young crew.

Rowan University, NJ (NJAC)

Despite losing top hitter and stand-out senior, Carly Anderson, the Profs return with a stacked lineup. They ended their 2019 season in the Super Regional tournament after losing out to Eastern Connecticut State. They return the NJAC Rookie of the Year, Morgan Zane, who led the squad in RBIs. One of the biggest weapons the Profs have is their returning pitching staff, led by Lauren Shannon and Jesse DeDomenico. This duo combined for a 1.93 ERA, 297 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a 1.66 batting average. Some other key players coming back are Christian Guarino and Kelly Duffy. This group should pick up right where they left off with tons of potential.

SUNY Geneseo, NY (SUNYAC)

The Knights appeared in the Super Regional tournament during their 2019 campaign. They return their powerful junior class which will be big. They lose the SUNYAC player of the year, Danni Napoli, but they have plenty of key players coming back to help fill her shoes. They return top hitter, Hannah Elmer, who led the Knights in RBI’s, hits and home runs along with plenty more offensive talent from Ashlyn Kersch, Abby Whitney and Brooke Wolff. Kersch is also the returning ace for the Knights who held a 1.88 ERA. This should be a great group of seniors to keep an eye on.

The College of New Jersey, NJ (NJAC)

The Lions may lose All-American, Jess McGuire, but they return a stellar junior class to put the defending NJAC Champions back on track. They return All-American, Lauren Conroy, who led the Lions in hits, doubles, RBIs, and total bases. One thing that will make this a dangerous team this season, is they return their pitching staff, led by Alanna Namit and Eliza Sweet. Together they combined for a 1.51 ERA and 208 strikeouts. Expect this squad to make some noise this season.

Central College, IA (ARC)

The Dutch had a successful 2019 season, winning the ARC Championship while finishing their season in the NCAA Regional Tournament. They have some shoes to fill in the circle since they won’t be returning stand-out pitcher, Mariah Fritz. Some key players that will be coming back are Daria Parchert, Shaye Witte, Kailty Andresen and Sara Tallman, who led the team in hits and stolen bases. This team has the potential to shine with offensive talent at THE Spring Games.

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, WI (WIAC)

The Warhawks ended their 2019 in the NCAA Regional Tournament. They lose a strong group of seniors, including their top three hitters. However, they return their ace and WIAC Pitcher of the Year, Bella Matthias, who racked up 155 strikeouts while keeping a 1.5 ERA. Returning the bats of Meg Cohrs and Vera Pflugradt will help out the Warhawks as well. They have some reloading to do on the offense but never count out a team with Matthias in the circle.

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, WI (WIAC)

The Blugold’s biggest advantage this season is all the experience they return for 2020. They return their pitching staff including Sara Peka and Cheyenne Johnson. They combined for a 2.26 ERA and 152 strikeouts. They have a dangerous offense returning as well. Some of those key hitters include Abbey Place, Tessa Dachel, Mikayla McEnery and Katie Rongstad. After losing out in the NCAA Regional Championship last season, expect this squad to come back hungry for more this season.

Williams College, MA (NESCAC)

The Ephs had a spectacular finish to their 2019 season, making it all the way to the WCWS. Despite losing the NESCAC’s Defensive Player of the Year, Jessica Kim, there’s plenty of returning talent within this roster. They bring back multiple power hitters including the NESCAC’s Rookie of the Year, Mara Kipnis. Some other key hitters coming back are Rebecca Duncan and Kristin Mapes. Duncan also led the Ephs in the circle with a 1.93 ERA. THE Spring Games should be a good test for this talented group.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA (NEWMAC)

The Engineers will be a team to watch this season with all the experience they bring to the table. NEWMAC Pitcher of the Year, Ravenne Nasser, won’t be returning the season, but Colleen Campbell is back to fill Nasser’s shoes. Racking up 121 strikeouts and a 1.38 ERA, Campbell has lots of potential for this coming season. They also bring back their top hitter, Devon Goetz, who led the Engineers in batting average, home runs, hits, runs and stolen bases. They also return the hot bat of Michelle Wist. Ending their 2019 season in the NCAA Regional Championship, expect this squad to return hungry for more in 2020.

University of St. Thomas, MN (MIAC)

Regarded as one of the nation’s top Division III softball programs, keeping St. Thomas on your radar is always strongly advised. The Tommies return a talented senior class, which includes the MIAC Pitcher of the Year, Kierstin Anderson-Glass, and MIAC Player of the Year, Elise Barnes. Both of these players also garnered All-American honors during their 2019 season. Winning the MIAC title, then advancing past Regionals and Super Regionals, the Tommies season came to an end at the WCWS. This is a team that has the potential to shine at THE Spring Games.