Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State softball team will travel to Crookston, Minn., this weekend to play both Minnesota, Crookston and Minnesota State Moorhead in a pair of NSIC doubleheaders.  Due to flooding in the Red River Valley, MSUM was forced to relocate its games to Crookston.  SMSU will face UMC on Saturday at 3 p.m. and MSUM on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Northern Sun leaders:  They say it's lonely at the top, but the Mustangs don't mind a little “me” time.  SMSU holds sole possession of the No. 1 spot in the NSIC standings with a 12-2 conference record.  Wayne State is just behind the Mustangs at No. 2 with a 11-2 NSIC mark.

First time in '09:  For the first time this season, SMSU knocked off a team ranked in the top 25 nationally.  Thursday's doubleheader sweep of No. 23 Minnesota State, Mankato allowed the Mustangs to check that off their list and also move into first place in the NSIC.

Homerun queen:  A new heir to the SMSU career homerun record took her thrown in game two of the Mustangs' doubleheader with Augustana on Wednesday when Amanda Tucci (Oakdale, Minn.) belted a solo shot to bring her career total to 27.  Tucci passes current SMSU student assistant coach Erin Dickhausen, who collected 26 homeruns in her career as a Mustang.

Double the fun:  Amanda Burkhart (Omaha, Neb.) doubled in game one against MSU and etched her name into another No. 1 spot in the SMSU career record book--this one for most career doubles.  The senior now has 40 in the category, surpassing Leslie Oberaigner's mark of 39.  She also leads SMSU in career RBIs with 134.

Johnson & Johnson:  SMSU hurler Amanda Johnson (Fremont, Neb.) was the winning pitcher in both of the Mustangs' games with MSU on Thursday.  The senior started on the mound in game one, picking up the 5-1 win.  She was called in for a relief effort in game two and wound up getting the win in the Mustangs' 4-3 victory.  On the day, Johnson pitched 10.1 innings, gave up no earned runs, allowed six hits and struck out 11.

Senior momentum:  Four seniors will guide the Mustangs through their 2009 campaign, and all are seasoned veterans.  Burkhart, Tucci, Johnson and Jessica Paczosa (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) have earned 10 all-conference nods between the four of them.

Batter up:  Christine Borowiak (Omaha, Neb.) is SMSU's top player at the plate.  Borowiak is currently hitting .343 with two homeruns and 18 RBIs.  The freshman has also posted six doubles and two triples.

Preseason Honors:  Amanda Johnson was selected as the NSIC 2009 Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the third consecutive season. She enters her senior season ranked third in career saves in NCAA Division II history with 13. Johnson ranks first in SMSU history in lowest opponents' batting average, fewest walks per seven innings, strikeouts per seven innings, wins, saves, appearances, games started, complete games, games finished, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeouts.

Rank 'em:  SMSU was picked to finish third in the NSIC Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's 14 head coaches.  The Mustangs received 164 points in the poll, just one point behind the No. 2 team, Minnesota State, Mankato.  SMSU also received three first-place votes.

He's back:  Shawn Semler returns for his sixth season as the head coach of the Mustangs.  He's led SMSU to four conference championships and three NCAA Regional Tournament appearances.  Semler has also coached 24 all-conference performers  and been named the NSIC's top coach three times.