Complete Release (PDF)

MARSHALL, Minn. - The Southwest Minnesota State softball team, in first in the latest NSIC standings, will host Wayne State, in second in the conference, on Wednesday in a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

Northern Sun leaders:  A 16-2 campaign in conference play has SMSU atop the latest NSIC standings.  The Mustangs' two lone conference losses of the season have come at the hands of Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth.

Burkhart honored again:  Amanda Burkhart (Omaha, Neb.) had a mammoth performance this past week for SMSU, crushing five home runs and going 18 for 26 at the plate for a .692 batting average to lead the Mustangs to a perfect 8-0 record. The senior hit three home runs on Sunday, including a grand slam, in a doubleheader sweep of Minnesota, Crookston, moving her into a tie for the No. 1 spot in career homeruns with 28; she is tied with teammate Amanda Tucci. She also set the SMSU single-season home run record on Sunday when she recorded her 12th of the season.  Other week totals for the right fielder included seven runs, 18 RBIs and a sparkling 1.346 slugging percentage. She also had a pair of doubles to go along with her five home runs. Her stellar performance earned her NSIC Co-Player of the Week honors.  She shared the honor with Concordia-St. Paul's Anna Bjorlin.  This marks the second time this season Burkhart has earned the award.

The race is on:  It's emerged with a Roger Maris-Mickey Mantle type feel, and the home run race for most career bombs will likely be a season-long attraction between Burkhart and Amanda Tucci (Oakdale, Minn.).  Tucci first broke Erin Dickhausen's mark of 26 career homers earlier this season.  But not to be outdone, Burkhart cashed in five deep balls last week to knot the two teammates at 28 career home runs each.  Here's a brief look at the connectors between the two sluggers:  a.) Both have the name Amanda, b.) both are seniors, c.) the two bat back-to-back in the lineup and d.) both have been named All-NSIC first team.

Another record: One more record-breaking performance could be in the works for Burkhart on Wednesday against WSC; the senior needs just two more RBIs to set the single season record in the category.  Jill Gaetze currently leads with 45 RBIs in 1993.

Pitching performance:  Amanda Johnson (Fremont, Neb) was a flawless 5-0 on the mound for the Mustangs last week.  The senior compiled a 0.24 ERA, allowed 17 hits, struckout 26 and walked just one batter in 29.1 innings pitched.  Johnson also held opponents to a .168 batting average in her perfect week.  She picked up both wins in SMSU's doubleheader sweep of No. 23 Minnesota State on Thursday and grabbed both wins in the Mustangs' sweep of Minnesota State Moorhead on Sunday.  She also notched a shutout win against Augustana on Wednesday.  On the week, Johnson allowed just one earned run.  And it will likely be a milestone on Wednesday against WSC as Johnson is just four strikeouts away from 1,000 for her career.

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.

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.