2012 Bethel University Softball Preview
 
General Information
 
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, MN
Enrollment: Approximately 6,400 (2,850 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Field: Ona Orth Athletic Complex
 
2011 Record
Overall record: 24-16
Conference record/finish: 14-8/5^th
 
Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Rod Radcliffe
Alma Mater: Buena Vista
 
Assistant Coaches:
Angela Helle
Emily Evans
Molly Trombley
Marco Machodo (Volunteer)
 
Key Returners: (Name, Year, Hometown, Position)
Anja Erlandson (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.)-P
Jessica Pudwill (Sr., Detroit Lakes, Minn.)-INF
Rachel Gilbert (Jr., Becker, Minn.)-C/OF
Megan Matson (Jr., Mound, Minn.)-OF
Jess Newstrom (Jr., Cambridge, Minn.)-INF
Cristina Masten (So., Fergus Falls, Minn.)-C
Genna Bock (Sr., Circle Pines, Minn.)-P
 
Captains: Anja Erlandson, Jessica Pudwill, Rachel Gilbert, Megan Matson
 
Season Outlook:
 
The Royals will be returning 11 players to the diamond after compiling an overall record of 24-16  in 2011. They will look for increased depth for the 2012 season as they welcome in 18 new student-athletes. Two of the newcomers come to BU via transfer, Tara Schinke (Long Lake, Minn.) and Alexandra Thunborg (Blaine, Minn.) will look to step in right away to contribute this spring. Head Coach Rod Radcliffe enters his eighth season at the helm of the softball program. Radcliffe has been in the softball coaching business for 30 years and with his experience he will look to guide the Royals to a MIAC conference championship.
 
Senior Genna Bock (Circle Pines, Minn.) will be looked upon to throw a majority of the innings this season and newcomer Melissa Palm (St. Joseph, Minn.) will also get some quality innings in the circle. Bock made 16 appearances during the 2011 season and finished with an 8-4 record while striking out 52 opponents.
 
Behind the plate the Royals will look upon sophomore Cristina Masten (Fergus Falls, Minn) to provide leadership throughout the spring. Masten, who is also a member of the women's hockey team, is making the transition from the ice to the dirt. Masten started 31 games last year as a freshman for the Royals and was also very productive at the plate as she hit .386 in 101 plate appearances in 2011.
 
The infield will be led by senior Jessica Pudwill (Detroit Lakes, Minn.) and junior Jessica Newstrom (Cambridge,Minn.) who both return from 2011. Newstrom will cover the “hot corner” as she will spend a majority of her time at third base. Newstrom is also making the transition from hockey to softball. Newstrom got the starting nod 38 times last season and also was over the .300 mark at the plate as she hit .328 in 116 appearances at the plate.
 
The outfield will be a strong suit for the squad as 2011 All-Conference junior Megan Matson (Mound, Minn.) and All-Conference Honorable Mention Rachel Gilbert (Becker, Minn.) return to left and center field respectively. At the plate last year Matson hit a blistering .395 in 124 at bats while committing only three errors in the field. Gilbert also hit over .300, as she finished with a batting average of .333. Gilbert also tied for the most round-trippers, as she knocked six over the fence a season ago. Senior Anja Erlandson (White Bear Lake, Minn.) will also spend significant time roaming the outfield and will also get some innings in pitching as well.
 
Coach's Outlook:

Coach Radcliffe is very optimistic about the 2012 season and is very excited about the group of players he returns this spring. He commenting by saying, “We have a lot more depth this season, yet we are very young, which means there is a lot of competition for positions.” He also said, “Our JV program is very important to our program. We rely on our JV to fill the void through graduation and we like to say it is the next person in line to fill a position.”
 
Batter Up!

The Royals already have two games under their belt as they opened up the season with a twin bill against Concordia University of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. The team split the Saturday affair, as they knocked off the Falcons by a score of 8-6 and fell to the Blue Devils 12-3. The team will battle the Cobbers from Concordia College on Saturday in Rochester before they head south for a week of games and warm weather in Clermont, Florida.