D’artagnan Johnson, contributor

The Auggie softball team is ready to rock as the 2024 season grows near. The program is led by head coach Melissa “Mel” Lee who is an Augsburg alumni and is in her eighth season in control of the squad. During her time as a student-athlete, Lee became one of the best Auggie softball players of all time and was inducted into the Auggie Athletic Hall of Fame. She was honored as an all-conference player three times in her career and earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Region second-team honors in 2002. In her coaching career with Augsburg, Lee has maintained a conference win average of 0.303 and is still battling for her first conference championship. Coach Lee currently sits at 99 career wins and is looking to hit the triple digit win career milestone in the upcoming season.

Beyond a stellar coach, the team has some amazing players going into their senior season. One to watch for the Auggies is senior infielder, Katie Manecke. Manecke is a dual-sport athlete and dominates in both basketball and softball. In her 108 games as an Auggie, she has started in 107 and recorded a .295 batting average as well as a .380 on base percentage in 312 at bats. She has also accomplished 203 putouts, 95 assists, 92 hits, 60 runs, 22 stolen bases, 22 runs batted in (RBIs), and a .955 fielding percentage. Of Manecke’s 92 career hits, eight have been extra base hits with seven being doubles and one triple. She was also named to the 2021 MIAC all-conference team. 

Another player to watch for the Auggies is junior infielder Torrie Rehder. Rehder is another versatile dual-sport athlete who is a key player in both volleyball and softball. She has started all 77 games that she has played in. In the 2023 softball season, Rehder tied for the ninth most at bats in a single season in school history with 130. She capitalized on her at bats with 35 hits (13 extra base), 29 runs, 21 RBIs and a .336 on base percentage. Her terrific 2023 season was recognized and she was awarded a MIAC all-conference honorable mention. In Rehder’s career with the Auggies, she has recorded 63 hits, 43 runs, 35 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, an on base percentage of .318 and a batting average of .264.

On Feb. 27, the Auggie softball team is set to play a doubleheader as their first home games of the 2024 season at Edor Nelson Field against UMAC competitor, Northland College of Minnesota. Last season, the Auggies swept Northland in a two game series. The Auggies have an 8-1 record all-time when playing Northland and they’ll be sure to extend their win streak.