Feb. 28, 2006

Everyone returns from the 2005 Dana College softball team that put together a 30-19 campaign and broke the school record for home runs. With the addition of talented newcomers, the Vikings will be even better in 2006.

“The coaching staff can’t wait to get started,” said third-year Dana Head Coach Marcy Roff. “Our returners are smarter and understand the game better than they did a year ago. With the addition of our newcomers, we think we will be tougher up the middle and behind the plate. Offensively, we can crack out the short game or allow the team to just hit.”

Among the returners is two-time all-conference selection Marisa Bretschneider (Norfolk, Neb.). “Rissa” will be team captain this year. She has accumulated 121 hits, 17 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 homeruns over her career and is a player who always puts the team before herself, Roff said.

Also returning is sophomore Josie Barrow (Woodward, Iowa). Barrow made quite a name for herself in just one year of collegiate softball. As a freshman, Barrow knocked out 7 homeruns and 11 doubles as well as proving to be one of the top pitchers in the league. Barrow pitched 14 wins with a 1.61 ERA.

Sarah Sempek (Omaha, Neb.) will start her third season as Dana’s first baseman. Sempek is a two-time all-Great Plains Athletic Conference selection. In just two seasons as a Viking, Sempek made 738 put outs with just 11 errors. She slammed 23 doubles and 40 RBIs in 101 games.

Top newcomers include pitcher Mindy Schoop (Johnston, Iowa), catcher Morgan Shields (Britt, Iowa), and shortstop Heather Parsons (Ottumwa, Iowa).

“Mindy will be a great addition to our already strong pitching staff. She is a lefty with nice movement and speed. We feel she brings confidence and experience. She has worked very hard in the off season and we are looking forward to her career as a Viking,” said Roff.

Shields has a great arm behind the plate, and she is quick. She worked hard in the off-season to improve at the little things and has a positive relationship with the pitchers, Roff said.

“Morgan is a left-handed slapper with very quick feet.”

Parsons recently transferred to Dana College. She was an All-American in 2004 and 2005 at Indian Hills Community College. This season, she will play shortstop and be the lead-off hitter for the Vikings. “Her quickness and competitive spirit are a perfect fit for this team,” Roff said.

“This team has the potential to beat anyone in the conference, but we can get beat by anyone in the conference too. We have to play to our best every game, because our opponents will give us their best. As long as we stay healthy and come together as a whole, this team could be something pretty special,” said Roff.

Dana softball opens its season March 4 in Lamoni, Iowa, against Graceland University. The Vikings’ first home game will be Friday, March 31, with Grand View College.