2021 campaign opens at PC Dome

Morningside College's No. 20-ranked National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' softball program takes to the diamond for the first time in 2021 Friday and Saturday, Feb. 12 and 13.

Head coach Jessica Jones-Sitzmann's team is part of Presentation College of Aberdeen, S.D.'s back-to-back weekends of the Aberdeen Dome Tournament. The Mustangs face Valley City State University and the Minot State University of North Dakota at 2 and 4 p.m. Friday and the host Presentation College and fellow Great Plains Athletic Conference member Dordt University at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Saturday in the first edition.

Links to live statistics and video for the entire weekend are available at www.msidemustangs.com, the Internet home of Morningside College athletics.

2021 Season Glance

• Jones-Sitzmann's squad received 194 ranking points on the NAIA's preseason listing, released on Jan 13.
• "We have a lot of key returners back," the veteran skipper pointed. "Even with that, though. building chemistry has been a big focus in the preseason. We're at a point where we just need to go out and play. Our coaching staff feels like we have some good dynamics, but they need to be put together and seen in game-time situations. From there, we can re-evaluate and see where we are."
• Jones-Sitzmann pointed to several individuals as leaders so far. They included senior catcher Ashton Whited (SR/Elkhorn, NE) (Elkhorn, Neb.), junior infielder Morgan Nixon (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.), senior infielder Lexie Stolen (SR/Sioux City, IA) (Sioux City, Iowa), and senior pitcher Alex Nelson (SR/Sioux Falls, SD) (Sioux Falls, S.D.). "Honestly, we've been having a bunch of different ones step up in regards to leadership," she admitted. Ashton, who I call my "super senior" behind the plate, and Alex, who is coming off her swimming season and is ready to transition into softball, will be essential for the pitching staff. Junior Katherine Wurtz (JR/Omaha, NE) (Omaha, Neb.) will also be good for us in the circle. We did lose some key people in this area, but this group is stepping up and knowing it's their time. There are a lot of options we can go to, and Alex and Kat have been doing a great job of understanding that and leading the group."
• Regarding the Maroon offense, which looks to add to a remarkable run of five straight years in which the program has averaged .300 or better at the dish, Mside's head coach sees plenty of potential. "We have a lot of different threats from power slappers to good contact hitters. We're in a place right now where we need to figure things out and still build confidence yet. With that in mind, we will be playing around with the line-up for a little bit. It's what pre-conference games are all about - seeing what we have."

Morningside is scheduled to return to Aberdeen for the second dome event Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19 and 20.