Beaver Softball grabs 12th in NSIC Preseason Poll

Bemidji State marked 12th with Sarff and Larsen named Players to Watch

Bemidji State University Softball has tabbed 12th place in this season’s Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Outfielder Jackie Larsen and pitcher Danica Sarff were named Bemidji State’s Preseason Players to Watch.

Last season, the Beavers went 13-38 overall with a 7-21 record in the NSIC. The team started NSIC play with a pair of wins over Southwest Minnesota State University on Mar. 24, then found a 3-2 win on Apr. 10 after 12 innings against St. Cloud State University. The Beavers grabbed a 15-0 shutout over University of Minnesota Crookston on Apr. 17 then swept University of Mary in a double header on Apr. 20.

Jackie Larsen was named the Beavers’ Preseason Player to Watch this season. She led the team in stolen bases last season with 14. Larsen found herself in the top five of a multitude of statistical categories including batting average (3rd, .282), slugging percentage (4th, .324), runs scored (3rd, 24), RBIs (2nd, 22), home runs (tied 2nd, 1), total bases (5th, 46) and at bats (5th, 142).

Sophomore Danica Sarff earned the Preseason Pitcher to Watch nod after starting 13 games and appearing in 23. She marked a 7.23 ERA with 61 innings pitched. She led the Beaver pitching unit with the least earned runs allowed at 63 and runs allowed at 77. She also was at the top of the leaderboard with six sacrifice bunts allowed, three sacrifice flies allowed and 75 hits allowed. Sarff’s pitching allowed just seven home runs, four triples and 12 doubles.

The Beavers prepare to take the field in nine days at the Husky Dome in St. Cloud, Minn. as they compete in the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament, hosted by St. Cloud State. The first matchup of the season will see the Beavers taking on the SMSU Mustangs at 3 p.m. on Feb. 1 with the Beavers and Huskies slated for 5 p.m. NSIC play is set to begin following the Beavers’ annual trip to Clermont, Fla. for the Spring Games. BSU will host Concordia University, St. Paul on Mar. 22 with the first pitch happening at 1 p.m.