Softball | 02/06/20 | 3:46 PM
HELENA, Mont. -- The Carroll College softball team looks to take another step forward in 2020.
The Saints were picked to finish fifth in the very-competitive Cascade Collegiate Conference, home to the 2019 national champion Southern Oregon Raiders. Four teams in the CCC are ranked to begin the season: No. 1 SOU, No. 8 Oregon Tech, No. 19 College of Idaho and No. 24 Corban.
"We are excited to get the 2020 season and once again have a great schedule that will prepare us to compete with the best in the country," Saints coach
Aaron Jackson said. "We have been fortunate to be on the dirt for two weeks and look forward to seeing how that extra time pays off this weekend. Opening up again at the NAIA SoCal Challenge provides us with a competitive schedule and the opportunity to play at one of the best fastpitch complexes in the country."
The Saints went 19-24 last season and went 0-2 at the Cascade tournament.
The Saints graduated five seniors, but return a core that could make some noise this season. Seniors
Anna ApRoberts and
Brooke Yarnall and sophomore
Amber Brewer were selected to the NFCA All-Region Second Team a season ago.
The Saints' season starts Friday in California at the NAIA Classic.
Below is a look at the Saints' 2020 roster.
Brooke Brown
Phoenix, Arizona
5-9, senior pitcher
Last season: 6.40 ERA, 2-7, 15 GP, 11 GS, 58 IP, 53 ER, 39 SO
Coach's thoughts: "Brooke returns for her final season as a Fighting Saint. We look to Brooke to lead us in the circle has one of two seniors pitchers."
Sarah Jenkins
Vancouver, Washington
5-6, freshman pitcher/utility
Coach's thoughts: "Sarah is a dynamic freshman. She has the ability to play multiple positions and hits from left for average and power. Sarah is the twin sister of Emma and they create a pitcher-catcher battery. We look for her get time on the mound and other places."
Amber Brewer
Peoria, Arizona
5-3, sophomore outfielder
Last season: 38 GP, 36 GS, .328 BA, 3 HR, 26 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Amber returns after a great freshmen season. We look to Amber to continue her great play in the outfield and become one of the best hitters in the CCC."
Brooke Brewer
Peoria, Arizona
5-9, junior outfielder
Last season: 14 GP, 8 GS, .286 BA, 2 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "We look to Brooke to help us in the outfield. She brings power from the left side and also can beat out the bunt."
Katie Huisman
Great Falls, Montana
5-5, junior catcher
Last season: 13 GP, 10 GS, .300 BA, 4 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Katie will be behind the plate as a veteran catcher. At the plate, she hits for average and the ability to come in clutch."
Emma Hamilton
Lexington, Kentucky
5-7, sophomore utility
Last season: 7 GP, 2 GS, .222 BA, 1 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Emma will be behind the dish this year. Having had a year to develop we look forward to a breakout year."
Kirsten Norris
Phoenix, Arizona
5-7, freshman outfielder
Coach's thoughts: "Kirsten continues our pipeline from Sandra Day O'Connor high school. She's a solid outfielder with good pop in her bat. "
Kendall Mooney
Missoula, Montana
6-0, senior infielder
Last season: 38 GP, 35 GS, .307 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Kendall has been our leader at the hot corner for the last three years. We are looking for her to finish her career with her best season yet."
Megan McCormick
Fallon, Nevada
5-9, senior infielder
Last season: 32 GP, 29 GS, .250 BA, 4 HR, 13 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Megan will again be at first base. A powerful hitter, we look for her to bring her high energy each and every day."
Rachel Vance
Yakima, Washington
5-2, sophomore infielder
Coach's thoughts: "Rachel will see time at third and be a valuable hitter."
Jessica Nimmo
Las Vegas, Nevada
5-9, sophomore infielder/outfielder
Last season: 21 GP, 11 GS, .279 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Jessica will see time mainly in the outfield but also see time in the middle infield. Nimmo put in good work this summer and it is paying off."
Haley Kampka
Stevensville, Montana
5-10, freshman infielder
Coach's thoughts: "Haley is a freshman from Stevensville, Montana. She had a great fall gaining some great experience filling in for Mooney as she rehabbed her shoulder. Haley has a big bat and solid glove."
Michaela Fetzer
Taylorsville, Utah
5-3, sophomore utility
Last season: 19 GP, 8 R, 5 SB
Coach's thoughts: "Michaela is another player that had a great summer and fall. She has developed power and increased her speed. She will see time in the outfield."
Abby Hanley
Las Vegas, Nevada
5-3, pitcher/outfielder
Coach's thoughts: "Abby is a freshman pitcher and outfielder. Excited to see her in the circle. She has great speed and spin. Also look for her add to our lineup as another left-handed triple threat."
Emma Jenkins
Vancouver, Washington
5-8, freshman catcher
Coach's thoughts: "Emma is a freshman from Vancouver, Washington. She is the twin sister of Sarah. Emma is a catcher and has good power at the plate."
Courtney Schroeder
Great Falls, Montana
5-10, senior infielder
Last season: 15 GP, 12 GS, .188 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Courtney will see time at first base again this season. She is a senior and I look for her to have a break out year. Courtney has put in a lot of work and that work is going to pay off in her final season."
Anna Davidson
Boise, Idaho
5-7, freshman catcher/outfielder
Coach's thoughts: "Annie is a freshman catcher from Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho. She has tremendous ability behind the plate and great power at the plate."
Sarah Conway
Belt, Montana
5-6, freshman outfielder
Coach's thoughts: "Sarah is another Montanan from Great Falls. A dynamic outfielder who plays without fear. Sarah has exceptional speed and good pop in her bat. "
Ali Williams
Kalispell, Montana
5-11, senior pitcher/infielder
Last season
Batting: 40 GP, 37 GS, .294 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI
Pitching: 3.86 ERA, 9-7, 20 GP, 13 GS, 110.2 IP, 61 ER, 76 SO
Coach's thoughts: "Ali returns to circle for her final season. We also look to her lead from the circle being one of two senior pitchers. Ali also is a feared hitter with a great eye. "
Josie Barker
Seattle, Washington
5-6, sophomore infielder
Last season: 5 GP
Coach's thoughts: "Josie returns this year in a new role. She has moved to second base this spring and has made the adjustment to the position quickly. Josie has also made great strides at the plate and has become a good all-around hitter."
Brooke Yarnall
Frenchtown, Montana
5-3, senior utility
Last season: 37 GP, 34 GS, .314 BA, 9 RBI, 20 SB
Coach's thoughts: "Brooke will be roaming center field in her final season has a Saint. She's a consistent leadoff hitter with great speed to swipe the extra base."
Natalie Gaber
Littleton, Colorado
5-6, junior infielder
Last season: 33 GP, 23 GS, .272 BA, 3 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Natalie will move into the middle infield for her junior season. Having done whatever we have asked for the last two years it is good to have her back at the position that fits her best, having great range at short and good pop off the bat. "
Whitney Durocher
Choteau, Montana
5-8, freshman infielder
Coach's thoughts: "Whitney is from Chateau, Montana. She's another lefty to add to the lineup with good power. Whitney will get time at first base this season. "
Haylee Curry
Belgrade, Montana
5-7, freshman catcher/outfielder
Coach's thoughts: "Haylee is another newcomer from Belgrade, Montana, that has the ability to play multiple positions. She will mainly see time in the outfield."
Anna ApRoberts
Portland, Oregon
5-6, senior utility
Last season: 41 GP, 39 GS, .333 BA, 3 HR, 25 RBI
Coach's thoughts: "Anna begins her senior season having the opportunity to end her career with the most starts at second base in the history of the program, having held down the position since her freshman year. Anna is a true competitor and is the story for what hard work will get you. We look for her to lead the infield from the middle."
