Head Coaches: Kelsey Morken, Taylor Elton (both second year)
Where We Left Off in 2023: The Lions, in their first stand-alone season in 39 years, lost their first seven games but then won six of the final nine to finish 6-10 as an independent. They did not have enough SEC games to be eligible for the championship or individual honors, but the Lions did go 5-6 versus SEC squads in non-conference action. With the No. 8 seed, they closed with a 16-1 loss to No. 1 seed Southland in a Sub-Section 1A East quarterfinal.
Seniors: Katelyn Kraus (IF), Clara Myrah (OF).
Juniors: Sydney Holland (C), Emerson Ingvalson (IF/OF), Kendal VanMinsel (IF), Joelle Halverson (IF), Katie Klug (OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Brinley Middendorf (Fr. P), Izabel Kaufmann (8th IF), Jada Strinmoen (Fr. P/OF/IF).
Outlook: In only their second season, the Lions are still young with only one season of softball experience for everyone except Kraus. This season, they will be eligible for SEC honors while bringing back 10 of 20 letterwinners. Returning are both pitchers, freshmen Brinley Middendorf and Jada Strinmoen, along with four others who were starters. Sydney Holland was the catcher while Katelyn Kraus was a fixture at short stop. Izabel Kaufmann ended the season as the starting third baseman as did Emerson Ingvalson in left field, the lone returning outfielder. Graduation claimed the right side of the infield. In the batting order, Kendal VanMinsel was the designated player.
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