VIDEO: Coach Radcliffe | MIAC Release
 
Roster | Schedule | Coaching Staff

ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) released the 2013 softball preview and preseason coaches poll Wednesday, which is just in time, as the Royals squad began practicing this week. Bethel, who finished tied for fifth in the conference in 2012 with a 10-12 record, just missed the postseason—which would have made it four straight playoff appearances—by one game.
 
The Royals, who were picked to finish fifth by the league coaches, return 16 players from a season ago. Of those 16 players, seven could be considered starters throughout the 2012 campaign, including senior Rachel Gilbert (Becker, Minn.), who was an All-MIAC and NFCA All-Region Third Team player for head softball coach Rod Radcliffe, who returns for his ninth season with the Royals.
 
Other key returners for Bethel's club include Kalyn Sorensen (So., Maple Grove, Minn.), who was a 2012 All-MIAC player in her freshman season, and Cristina Masten (Jr., Fergus Falls, Minn.)—a 2012 All-MIAC Honorable Mention. Additionally, seniors Megan Matson (Mound, Minn.) and Jess Newstrom (Cambridge, Minn.) will provide pop in the lineup and leadership in the dugout, as the two have been main stays in the Royals lineup for at least two years.

Bethel will need to replace over 85 percent of its pitching from a year ago, as both Genna Bock and Anja Erlandson—who pitched over 220 innings combined—both graduated. Courtney Saurer (So., Chanhassen, Minn.) is the only returner with experience, however, Kelsey Johnston (Fr., Rogers, Minn.), Lindsay Edeen (Fr., St. Michael, Minn.), and Karli Persson (Fr., Albany, Minn.) will all be in the mix. 
 
BU will take on Buena Vista University on March 2, before embarking on a 12-game trip to Clermont, Fla., where they will play all games at the National Training Center. A pair of games against a ranked Luther squad following their trip to Florida and a late double dip against UW-River Falls will be it for nonconference opponents, before the Royals finish the regular season with 11 MIAC double-headers.