Local Players Look To Help FDLTCC Softball

Feb 11

Wes Vork-NSO

The Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Thunder women’s softball team is a season removed from the most successful in their short program history. Last year, the Thunder elevated to the elite status by knocking off four nationally ranked opponents on their way to a #4 national ranking in the NJCAA.

“It was a great season and we fell just short at the end for a national tournament bid,” recalled head coach Kerry Rodd. “We had a lot of second year players who knew what playing college ball was all about, but this year will be a whole different story. We have 12 players who have never played in college so it will be a lot of fun to watch them grow.”

Returning for the Thunder are starting centerfielder Megan Johnson (Esko) and starting pitcher and utility player Steph Engelmeier (Hermantown), as well as outfielder Jenny Wannamacher (Cook County High School).

“Those are three good players to build around,” mentioned Rodd. “Megan came a long way and Steph was our top pitcher most of the year, while Jenny did a nice job at the plate with the small number of at-bats she got during the season.”

The Thunder also are the recipients of a transfer from Mesabi Range Community College, Jenny Pederson (AlBrook), who is a pitcher/first baseman.

“Pederson will certainly help give us depth at the pitching position,” explained Rodd. “I think with Steph and JP (Pederson) along with some of the freshman throwers we should be decent in that department.”

Rodd will look to an impressive group of freshman to help keep the program at a high level that includes; Anna Engelmeier (Hermantown), Dana Letica (Proctor), Kortney Lindberg (Esko), Lisa Muehlberger (Duluth Central), Jade Kristofferson (Rush City), Amanda Larson (Moose Lake-Willow River), Mali Fonoti (AlBrook), Holly Nelson (Carlton), Emily Peterson (Ogilvie), Taya Flaim (Cloquet) and Elizabeth McKenzie (Cass Lake).

The team began a limited practice schedule for pitchers and catchers in the gym at FDLTCC on January 15th and can begin full time practices on February 15th.

“Just taking a look at our pitching, we will for sure have more depth this year than last year when we relied basically on Engelmeier and Joanna Vellekoop for almost all of our innings,” commented Rodd. “Dana Letica, who graduated 7 years ago from Proctor, is a great addition. You add her to Engelmeier and Pederson, as well as throwing in Kristofferson, that should give us some depth and that will be important.”

The Thunder appear to have one of the fastest outfields in the area with Megan Johnson and Anna Engelmeier, as well as others. They should be able to track down balls that most collegiate teams would never get to. They also look to have some strong players at the corners in the infield.

“With players like Letica, Muehlberger, Lindberg, Kristofferson and Nelson I think the corners will be well taken care of,” mentioned Rodd. “Our concerns right now have to be getting stronger up the middle and at catcher and we will work on that very hard once February 15th rolls around.”

Wes Vork can be reached at wes@northlandsportsonline.com