Mar. 25—WILLMAR — Things were a lot better for the 2024 Ridgewater softball team. Now, head coach Callie Danielson wants more in 2025.
The Warriors qualified for regional competition for the first time in a decade and improved their record to 9-14
. They did it by mashing the ball as one of the top-hitting teams in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference, batting .385 with a .435 on-base percentage and a .591 slugging percentage. Eight starters batted .333 or better. Six of them are back.
Danielson,
, naturally wants more.
"I think a goal for sure is that we compete with every team we face," Danielson said. "I'd like to improve on our wins from last year. We know we can score, but if we want a chance to make it further in the playoffs, we need to limit the runs we allow.
"I just want to keep on improving on what we started."
The pitching staff, which had an 8.90 earned-run average last year, will be all new. There's some promise, too. Ridgewater opened with a doubleheader split with Minnesota North College-Itasca, winning 5-4 and falling 15-3. Starting in the circle for the Warriors were Navaeh Rahm and Emily Ruter.
Both will be key when Ridgewater plays four games this weekend in Rochester, starting with Minnesota North College-Rainy River at 2 p.m. Friday and followed by another game with Itasca at 4 p.m. Then, there are games at 1 p.m. Saturday against Minnesota North College-Vermilion and 3 p.m. Saturday against Central Lakes College of Brainerd.
Rahm is a freshman right-hander from Fairmont who was a starting center on the Warriors' women's basketball team. She got the win against Itasca, striking out nine and walking three in the seven-inning complete game. She'll play first when she's not pitching and likely will bat in the middle of the lineup.
Ruter is a freshman right-hander from New London-Spicer. She'll play third base when she's not pitching. They replace Jasmine Knick and Abby Clancy, who did most of the pitching last season.
"They're both good and they're both very different," Danielson said. "I'm hoping they'll be able to throw hitters off when they face them back to back."
The Warriors have their top two hitters back from last season. Shakira Olson, a sophomore center fielder and lead-off hitter from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, is back after batting .512/.545/1.073 with 13 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 31 runs, 32 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. She was one of five Warriors selected to the Minnesota College Athletic Conference All-South Division team.
Kaydence Bertram, a sophomore shortstop from Melrose, also returns after also starting at forward on the women's basketball team. In softball, she batted .500/.536/.872 with eight doubles, six triples, three homers, 36 runs, 26 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Bertram was an All-MCAC South selection.
Also back is Alli Malmgren. The sophomore left fielder from St. James hit .471/.526/.700 with 16 doubles, 25 runs, 22 RBIs and two stolen bases. She also earned All-MCAC South honors.
Marlee Musty, a sophomore catcher/outfielder from Chatfield, batted .400/.432/.457 with four doubles, 10 runs and 14 RBIs.
Ella Fick, a sophomore first baseman/third baseman from Hutchinson, hit .406/.443/641 with four doubles, a triple, three homers, 19 runs, 20 RBIs and two stolen bases. She was on the All-MCAC South team.
Also returning is right fielder Hailey Graham, a sophomore from Brookings, South Dakota. Graham batted .333/.365/.383 with three doubles, 19 runs, 10 RBIs and seven stolen bases.
New players to watch include Lexi Owens, a second baseman from Willmar and Anyah Guenningsman, a catcher/infielder from Dassel-Cokato.
All 10 players on the roster will play. There were 11 last year. Danielson said she was hoping to see a lot more and that she has several players available if there is an emergency because of injury or illness.
"(Lack of numbers) is across the conference," Danielson said. "Two teams have dropped out because of a lack of players. Aside from St. Cloud, everyone's been struggling with it.
"I was excited about using the DP (designated player) flex spot. But that's not going to happen now."
Also returning is Danielson's assistant coach, Guy Nelsen. He's Danielson's father and a former long-time Willmar High School head softball coach and a 2015
"He just loves the game," Danielson said. "He's been a great help and a lot of fun. And not just for the team, but me too."
Danielson said all her players have a high level of commitment and a love of softball.
"The girls are really great," she said. "We're excited. We're ready to go. I think they're really energized about the year and can really do some damage."
