SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Black Hills State University softball team begins its season Friday and Saturday at St. Cloud State University. First pitch Friday is set for 2 and 4 p.m. and Saturday at 9 and 11 a.m.

The St. Cloud State Huskies return four top players in Alyssa Coletto, Jessica Goerger, Rebecca Harps, and Megan Hedstrom. Harps played in 55 games last season making 54 starts. In 168 at bats, Harps averaged .435 slugging percentage and scored 27 runners. Alongside Harps offensively, Jessica Goerger played and started in 53 games. Goerger averaged a .633 slugging percentage, scored 38 runners and hit a season team high 11 home runs.

Defensively, Goerger had a .991 fielding percentage with 453 put outs and only four errors. Alongside Goerger on the defense, Coletto tallied 234 putouts and only seven errors. Coletto averaged a .975 fielding percentage.

Megan Hedstrom returns as a starting pitcher for the Huskies. Hedstrom made 32 appearances with 19 starts last season, stricking out 84 batters in 124.2 innings pitched. She owned a 3.20 era, with nine complete games.

The Huskies finished in 11^th place last season in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with a 12-18 record while going 26-29 overall.

Black Hills State returns three strong fielders and hitters along with two pitchers Lauren Lesniak, Pamela Sakuma, Katelyn Odle, Alex Wiley and Stefanie Witman. Lesniak played in 38 games making 35 starts. In 95 at bats, Lesniak averaged a .453 slugging percentage with 18 RBIs and four home runs. Alongside Lesniak, Wiley owned a .457 slugging percentage with 16 RBIs and two home runs.

Defensively, Sakuma owned a .981 fielding percentage with 300 put outs and only six errors. Odle worked alongside Sakuma on the defense posting a .967 fielding percentage with 93 assists, 82 putouts and only six errors at second base.

In the circle, Stefanie Witman returns as a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Honorable Mention selection after making 20 appearances with 16 starts as pitcher. She struck out 41 batters in 82.1 innings and pitched eight complete games. Joining Witman on the mound with RMAC honorable mention accolades is Alex Wiley. Wiley made 14 appearances with eight starts. Wiley struck out 20 batters in 48.2 innings pitched.

The Yellow Jackets finished in 13^th place last season with a 6-28 RMAC and 6-35 overall record.

Colorado Mesa is picked to win the RMAC this year according to the Preseason Coaches' Poll released Tuesday. The Mavericks finished first last season with a 35-3 record in the conference and 40-13 overall. The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish 12^th this season.

Charlotte Romero of Colorado Christian earned Preseason Player of the Year after finishing last season with a .478 batting average, tallying 80 hits and 16 doubles. Romero was named to the First Team All-RMAC and RMAC Freshman of the Year. She also earned All-American honors and NFCA All-Region First Team. Colorado Christian was picked to finish fourth in the conference.

Joining Romero with preseason honors is McKenzie Surface of Colorado Mesa who was named Pitcher of the Year. Surface earned First Team All-RMAC honors as she helped the Mavericks to an RMAC regular season Championship title and a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Surface owned a 2.73 ERA and finished with a 22-9 record. She struck out 144 batters and recorded seven shutouts last season.

Following the weekend, Black Hills State travels to Aberdeen, South Dakota, for the Minot State Dome Invite on Thursday, February 16 and Friday, February 17. The Yellow Jackets are slated to face Minnesota State University-Moorhead, Minot State and Minnesota State University-Crookston. First pitch both days is set for 9 a.m.