The 2025 Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) softball season is in full swing, and with only 11 teams competing this year, it should be an exciting race to find the seven MCAC teams advancing to the postseason.
MCAC softball competes at the NJCAA Division III level and is divided into a North and South division.
In the North Division, Central Lakes College returns a wealth of talent from a team that won the MCAC North Division in 2024. Kaitlyn Geschwill (RHP) proved to be one of the top pitchers in the country last season and will make a strong impact on the Raiders' success again this season. Minnesota North College - Itasca, Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range, Minnesota North College - Rainy River, Minnesota North College - Vermilion, and Northland Community and Technical College should be in the hunt for one of the four postseason bids from the North Division. Minnesota North College - Hibbing did not field a team this season.
Although only four South Division programs are eligible for postseason competition this year, a couple of teams should be fighting it out for the division title. St. Cloud Technical and Community College promises to be back at the top with the return of several key contributors from the 2024 season that saw the Cyclones named as co-champions of the South. Minnesota West Community and Technical College brought in some strong freshmen talent and should make a run for the title. Ridgewater College and Rochester Community and Technical College will also be battling for the opportunity to advance to the NJCAA Region 13 Tournament. Minnesota State Community and Technical College is competing as a club team this season and will not be eligible to advance to the postseason, while Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Riverland Community College did not field teams this year.
Below, the coaches shared thoughts on their 2025 season.
Be sure to follow @MCACSports and @NJCAASoftball on Twitter for the latest in MCAC and NJCAA two-year college softball news, rankings and season information.
For the MCAC Softball home page, click here or go to https://mcacsports.org/sports/sball/index.
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2025 Softball Preview
North Division |
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Central Lakes College
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Head Coach: Ray Austin, 9 years at Central Lakes College Overall Record: 170-112 Coaching Staff: Carlie Sweet, assistant coach; Ashly Erickson, assistant coach; Sydnee Johnson, assistant coach; and Lisa Luehrs, assistant coach Top returning players: Kaitlyn Geschwill, Pequot Lakes, MN, RHP Natalie Kossan, Motley, MN, OF Mercedes Schulz, Wadena, MN, C Josie Witter, Medford, MN, 3B Top incoming/new players: Morgan Kloss, Princeton, MN, RHP/SS Megan Hattenberger, Moose Lake, MN, 2B Cali Cross, Mankato, MN, C/OF Comments from Coach Austin: "If we pitch and play defense, we should be competitive in the conference." |
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Minnesota North College - Itasca
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Head Coach: Kayla Swanson, 1st year at Minnesota North College - Itasca Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: No one mentioned Top returning players: No information provided. Top incoming/new players: No information provided. Comments from Coach Swanson: No comment provided.
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Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range |
Head Coach: Brad Matuszak, 3 years at Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range Overall Record: 20-35 Coaching Staff: Jesse Bennett, assistant coach Top returning players: Katie Peck, Grand Marais, MN, RHP Destry Whitbeck, International Falls, MN, 2B Allie Bittmann, Iron, MN, OF Jerzie Gustafson, Hibbing, MN, 3B/OF Top incoming/new players: Hannah Edwards, Deer River, MN, SS Jenna Sacco-LaMushga, Hibbing, MN, OF Aiesah Benner, Virginia, MN, C Comments from Coach Matuszak: "Play defense, hit the ball, and have some fun!"
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Minnesota North College - Rainy River
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Head Coach: Shelby Nosan, 3 years at Minnesota North College - Rainy River Overall Record: Coaching Staff: No one mentioned. Top returning players: No information provided. Top incoming/new players: No information provided. Comments from Coach Nosan: No comment provided. |
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Minnesota North College - Vermilion
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Head Coach: Aaron Bender, 3 years at Minnesota North College - Vermilion Overall Record: 10-34 Coaching Staff: Ryan Zyla, assistant coach; and Hannah Simchak, hitting coach Top returning players: Lilly Luzovich, Eveleth, MN, SS Claire Huttle, St. Louis, MO, 3B Top incoming/new players: Kierra Waller, Northome, MN, 1B Svea Guataphson, Duluth, MN, P Makayla Mihajlovich, Hinckley, MN, CF Comments from Coach Bender: "Looking to make a little charge in the Northern Division and compete for a playoff berth. Our pitching has to be spot on for that to happen. Need defensive support to really make things take off."
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Northland Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Cassie Berg, 2 years at Northland Community & Technical College Overall Record: 10-22 Coaching Staff: Reese Rustad, assistant coach; and Sunny Edin, assistant coach Top returning players: Emilee Tate, Crookston, MN, OF Jada Kosmatka, Mayer, MN, OF Anneke Lacina, Red Lake Falls, MN, C Top incoming/new players: Leslie Murken, Starbuck, MN, RHP/SS Annelise Castillo, RHP/2B Kora Sorter, Thief River Falls, MN, 1B Comments from Coach Berg: "We have a lot of new faces with lots of abilities on offense and defense. We look forward to getting outside and grinding!"
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Minnesota College Athletic Conference2025 Softball Preview
South Division
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St. Cloud Technical & Community College
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Head Coach: Greg Thorstad, 14 years at St. Cloud Technical and Community College Overall Record: 393-187 Coaching Staff: Ashley Pool, assistant coach; and Lexie Tatro, assistant coach Top returning players: Jordyn Clapp, St. Michael, MN, OF Ella Janzen, Aitken, MN, IF/OF Olivia Barkeim, Lewiston, MN, 3B Callie Elg, Howard Lake, MN, P/1B Top incoming/new players: Kenzie Hill, Chaska, MN, SS Sami Petzel, Arlington, MN, OF Maggie Wozniak, New Hope, MN, C/2B Comments from Coach Thorstad: "We are a well-rounded team with solid defense behind our pitching, and offensively, we have to step up to the plate."
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Rochester Community & Technical College
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Head Coach: Chad Schmitz, 1st year at Rochester Community & Technical College Overall Record: 0-0 Coaching Staff: Jolene Jordahl, assistant coach Top returning players: Skylar Beckel, OF/P Bailey Monson, OF Brynn Irish, 1B Presley Newcomb, 3B Top incoming/new players: Alayna Leighton, SS Jayda Bednarek, 2B Ivette Mendoza, OF/C Comments from Coach Schmitz: "Great players returning with some incoming freshmen and transfers who will help make an immediate impact."
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Ridgewater College
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Head Coach: Callie Danielson, 2nd year at Ridgewater College Overall Record: 13-16 Coaching Staff: Guy Nelson, assistant coach; and Jordyn Swoboda, assistant coach Top returning players: Shakira Olson, Clara City, MN, CF Kaydence Bertram, Melrose, MN, SS Alli Malmgren, St. James, MN, OF Ella Filk, Hutchinson, MN, 3B/1B Marlee Musty, Chatfield, MN, C/OF Top incoming/new players: Emily Ruter, New London, MN, P/INF Anyah Guennigsman, Dassel, MN, C Nevaeh Rahm, Fairmont, MN, P/1B Comments from Coach Danielson: "We gained a little more depth defensively this year and are looking forward to seeing the 1st year players contribute in big ways. Our returners have been excited to build on what we started last year, and we are looking forward to a competitive season."
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Minnesota West Community and Technical College |
Head Coach: Keith Swenson, 3 years at Minnesota West Community & Technical College Overall Record: 9-19 Coaching Staff: Makenzie Allen, Assistant Coach Top returning players: Chloe Ramthun, Sanborn, MN, OF Kaia Williams, Marshall, MN, OF Ava Parrish, Lake Howell, FL, OF Top incoming/new players: Kya Alderson, Lake Benton, MN, RHP/SS Hannah Kazemba, Round Lake, MN, RHP/SS Faith Kazemba, Round Lake, MN, 3B/C Comments from Coach Swenson: "Our defense is pretty solid. We will continue to work on hitting, because you need to score to win."
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About the Minnesota College Athletic Conference
The Minnesota College Athletic Conference is the organizational body for NJCAA-affiliated two-year technical and community college athletic programs in the Minnesota State system. The mission of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference is to advance intercollegiate athletics by providing an engaging and supportive environment for success of our student athletes and competition among member institutions. The MCAC is committed to the guiding principles of encouraging the development and success of student athletes, promoting the integrity, honesty and loyalty to member schools as well as upholding the sustainability of conference athletic programs.