BLUE DRAGONS PICKED 2ND IN KJCCC PRESEASON SOFTBALL POLL

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

The Hutchinson Community College softball team has a strong nucleus returning for 2023 and there are high expectations for the Blue Dragons this season.

Earlier this week, the Blue Dragons earned their first NJCAA Preseason ranking since the late 1980s. Those expectations were raised on Thursday with a second-place prediction in the 2023 Jayhawk Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Since returning to Division I before the 2019 season, the Blue Dragons have made a steady climb up the KJCCC standings. Last season, the Dragons put together one of the best seasons in program history after posting a 41-8 record with a second-place finish in the Jayhawk West and third-place showing in the Region VI Tournament. Hutchinson finished 15th in the final NJCAA national rankings.

The Blue Dragons were picked second in 2023 behind only perennial league and national power Butler, which is ranked seventh in the preseason KJCCC poll.

Now beginning her 19th season with the Blue Dragon program, head coach Jaime Rose returns her pitching staff and nearly the entire infield from last season with designs on doing something the Blue Dragons haven't done in more than 30 years.

The Blue Dragons have their sights set on the first conference title since 1992 and first Region VI title since 1987.

Returning All-American Riley Wertz leads a strong pitching staff into 2023. The nation's leader in saves last season, Wertz posted a 13-1 record with 1.35 earned-run average last season.

Left-handed starter Emily Munson returns as the Game 1 starter for the Dragons. Munson was 10-1 with a 2.49 ERA. Kierstan Weitze (9-2, 3.31 ERA) and Morgan Pennycuff (2-0, 4.80) also return from a staff that from a staff that posted a .286 team ERA and held opponents to a .226 batting average.

Two-year starting shortstop Madison Grimes is back for a third season. The super-sophomore from Andale hit .370 with five homers, 41 RBIs and 23 stolen base last season after hitting .470 as a freshman.

Also back is second baseman Ella Dougherty (.389, 67 hits, 51 runs, 31 RBIs), catcher Allie Stipsits (.364, 4 home runs, 43 RBIs), Wertz as the designated player (.339, 8 home runs, 39 RBIs) and first baseman Aspen Goetz (.309, 7 home runs, 39 RBIs).

The top 5 of the Jayhawk West preseason poll lists Butler, Hutchinson, Colby, Barton and Garden City. Spots 6 through 9 are filled by Dodge City, Seward County, Pratt and Northwest Tech.

The Blue Dragons open the season on Friday in Ottawa against the Ottawa University JV.