Jimmies start season in Kansas

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The season couldn’t have come any sooner for the Jamestown College softball team.

It was a long offseason for the Jimmies after they fell to Dickinson State in the championship play-in game a year ago, but the wait is over.

Jamestown College opens the season today at the Friends University Invitational in Wichita, Kan., with games against Northwest Oklahoma State University, Benedictine College and St. Gregory’s. The tournament concludes on Saturday with the Jimmies playing the University of Science and Arts and Briar Cliff.

The schedule load doesn’t get any lighter as the Jimmies will use Sunday to travel to Tucson, Ariz., for the Tucson Invitational where they will play 11 games in five days.

“It’s going to be a brutal trip but we will get a chance to see what everyone can do,” said JC coach Kevin Gall. “We’re hoping for some good things.”

The Jimmies return six starters from last year, but the three starters that moved on left big shoes to fill.

The Jimmies will have to do without 18-game winner Kate Street, who left to finish her degree in radiology, but Gall is still confident with the arms he has to work with this year.

Steph Bolt, a transfer, is expected to be the ace after going 10-10 with a 2.61 ERA last year at Paradise Valley Community College. The junior hurler tallied 146 strikeouts in 133.2 innings pitched.

“I think she will be a good replacement for Kate Street,” said Gall. “She is very confident on the mound.”

Jessica Lees, who was the No. 2 pitcher last year, and freshmen Emily Snow and Brandi-Rae Hanson will all be battling for the No. 2 spot.

“I think all four of those girls are going to be pretty good,” Gall said. “All four are going on the trip so we can see what they all can do. ... This could be one of the best pitching staffs we’ve ever had.”

The Jimmies, who were picked third in the preseason coaches’ poll, return almost their entire infield, including senior shortstop Amy Shadinger, who had 26 RBIs last year — the most of any Jimmie returning this season.

“Amy Shadinger has been consistent over the past three years,” Gall said. “We’re looking for her to continue her ways.”

Heather Haegele will be the leader in the outfield, but the Jimmies will miss the big bats of Sarah Heinemann and Courtney Wong, who combined for 23 home runs and 102 RBIs a year ago.

“They’ve put up some big numbers for us and have put their names in the record books,” said Gall. “It’s going to be interesting to see how things unfold. ... We’re hoping to see some surprises.”

The DAC should be strong again this year with Dickinson State and Minot State leading the way, but if the Jimmies can get a few of those surprises at the plate and if the rotation holds strong, JC could find itself deep in the DAC tournament once again.

“I think with our pitching staff we’re going to have the chance to win some games we just have to follow the right path,” said Gall. “Sara Jane Webster is back, so (Dickinson State) will be good and Minot will have (Mandy Greenburg), who is a very good pitcher. We just hope our pitchers can match theirs.

“We don’t have to win them all, but we want to win them all at the end.”

Sun sports writer David Griswold can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at dgriswold@jamestownsun.com

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