Softball | 02/26/21 | 2:07 PM

HELENA, Mont. Spring is on the horizon, and Carroll College Softball has arrived for the 2021 season. With the 2020 campaign coming to an end earlier than expected last march, the Saints are back and ready for action.
 
"We look forward to getting the season started," Said the Saints' Head Coach Aaron Jackson.  "After having been one of the first teams to stop playing last season, we are ready to return to the field."
 
The Saints will hit the ground running this weekend as they open their stretch of 12 games in a week to start the season with four games in Caldwell, Idaho. The Saints will play College of Idaho at 12 p.m. and Eastern Oregon at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 
 
"This weekend we open up against two conference foes in College of Idaho and Eastern Oregon," said Head Coach Aaron Jackson. "C of I is currently ranked seventeenth in the country.  They bring in a veteran group and a solid pitching staff.  EOU is a little bit of unknown since we did not get to play them a year ago and they have made a coaching change during this time."
 
Carroll enters this season with high hopes as they bring back a lot of depth and talent from last year's team along with some talented new-comers. 
 
"This team is young but very talented. This may be the deepest team that we have had in the history of the program," said Coach Jackson. "Having this depth will be a huge advantage as we are facing a compacted season with 54 games in about a 60 day window."
 
Jackson believes that this team has the right pieces to make some noise in a Cascade Collegiate Conference that is packed to the brim with talent. 
 
"The CCC again is a loaded field with four teams being ranked in the top 40, led by SOU, the defending national champions and number one team in the country," Jackson said. "Every week in the CCC you must come ready to play and couldn't ask for anything better than the opportunity to play in the best conference in the NAIA."
 
Without further ado, meet your 2021 Fighting Saints Softball team!
 
Sarah Jenkins
Vancouver, Washington
sophomore pitcher/utility

Coach's thoughts: "Sarah returns for her second year and will be look to take control of the middle infield. 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 in the middle infield and in the circle."

Amber Brewer
Peoria, Arizona
junior outfielder
Last season: 19 GP, 19 GS, .286 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Amber has been a mainstay in the outfield for us since her freshman year. An all CCC award winner we look for her to continue her great play in the outfield and become one of the best hitters in the CCC." 

Brooke Brewer
Peoria, Arizona
senior outfielder
Last season: 6 GP, 4 GS, .176 BA

Coach's thoughts: "We look to Brooke to bring senior leadership in the outfield. She brings power from the left side and also can beat out the bunt."

Katie Huisman
Great Falls, Montana
senior infield
Last season: 3 GP, 3 GS, .250 BA

Coach's thoughts: "Katie is our other senior, she will be making a position switch to first base.  We look for Kaite to lead us at the plate where she hits for average and the ability to come in clutch."

Emma Hamilton
Lexington, Kentucky
junior catcher
Last season: 7 GP, 7 GS, .333 BA, 2 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Emma showed great growth behind the plate and in the batter's box for us.  Along with her great performances on the field she brings the energy for our team."

Kirsten Norris
Phoenix, Arizona
sophomore outfielder

Coach's thoughts: "Kirsten has had a great offseason and we look for her to make an impact for us in the outfield. She's a solid outfielder with good pop in her bat. "


Rachel Vance
Yakima, Washington
junior 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: 15 GP, 14 GS, .333 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Jessica will make the move to second base this season. Over the past two seasons she has shown her versatility playing both in the outfield and in the middle infield. Nimmo is a solid defender with smooth mechanics and has all the tools at the plate."

Haley Kampka
Stevensville, Montana
sophomore infielder
Last seaon: 3 GP, .333 BA

Coach's thoughts: "Haley enters her sophomore year putting in the work needed to see time at the hot corner.  Haley has a big bat and solid glove."

Michaela Fetzer
Taylorsville, Utah
junior utility 
Last season: 14 GP, 6 GS, .263 BA, 3 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Michaela is currently recovering from a car crash this fall.  She continues to put in the work to get on the field and we will look for her to help lead our team from the sidelines until she is cleared to play."

Abby Hanley
Las Vegas, Nevada
sophomore pitcher/outfielder
Last season: 5 GP, 5 GS, .250 BA

Coach's thoughts: "Abby is returning as our top pitcher and we look for her to lead that group.  She has great speed, spin and is a true competitor on the field. Also look for her to add to our lineup as another left-handed triple threat."

Emma Jenkins
Vancouver, Washington
sophomore catcher

Coach's thoughts: "Emma enters her second season bringing the ability to be behind the plate and at the corners.  We look for Emma to contribute in those spots and at the plate." 


Anna Davidson
Boise, Idaho
sophomore catcher
Last season: 12 GP, 10 GS, .483 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Annie returns as a mainstay behind the plate.   She has tremendous ability to control the action and great power at the plate."

Sarah Conway
Belt, Montana
sophomore outfielder
Last season: 10 GP, 5 R

Coach's thoughts: "Sarah will look to get innings in the outfield. A dynamic outfielder who plays without fear. Sarah has exceptional speed and good pop in her bat. Sarah will also be playing soccer this spring so her plate will be full this spring. "



Josie Barker
Seattle, Washington
junior infielder/pitchers
Last season: 6 GP, 4 R

Coach's thoughts: "Josie returns this year to another new role as she will look to add some innings in the circle as well as in the middle infield. Having moved to second base last 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."

Whitney Durocher 
Choteau, Montana
sophomore infielder
Last season: 2 GP, 1 GS, 1 2B, 1 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Whitney will look to get innings at first base this season.  She's another lefty to add to the lineup with good power."

Haylee Curry
Belgrade, Montana
sophomore outfielder
Last season: 8 GP, 3 GS, .200 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Coach's thoughts: "Haylee will get innings in the outfield. Last season she showed that she had the ability to hit with great power as well as work counts."

Anika Bjornson
Lake Oswego, Oregon
freshman catcher/infielder
 
Coach's thoughts: "Anika is a catcher/infielder from Lake Oswego.  We look for Anika to add depth at both the catcher position and at third. She has a solid bat and brings a calming presence to the team.
 
Kaitlyn Randle
North Bend, Oregon
freshman infielder
 
Coach's thoughts:  "Kaitlyn is an infielder from North Bend.  She will add depth to our middle infield and has great speed on the base paths.  At the plate she has great ability and is a consistent hitter."
 
Kaitlynn Ayers
Twin Falls, Idaho
freshman infielder
 
Coach's thoughts: "Kaitlynn plays third base from Twin Falls.  We look for Kaitlynn to help solidify third base.  Also bring great power at the plate.
 
Sydnee Paul
Stevensville, Montana
freshman outfielder
 
Coach's thoughts:  "Sydnee is another Montana addition to our roster from Stevensville.  She is a three tool lefty slapper and a solid defender in the outfield.
 
Mckenna Bessette
Missoula, Montana
freshman pitcher
 
Coach's thoughts:  "Mckenna is a pitcher from Missoula, MT.  Mckenna will be look to sure up the pitching staff, bringing good power and spin to the circle.  Mckenna also has great power at the plate."
 
 
Layne Bauer
Frenchtown, Montana
freshman outfielder
 
Coach's thoughts:  "Layne joins us from Frenchtown, MT.  Layne will add depth to our outfield and has great power at the plate.