The Madison College softball team has established a new school record for wins in each of the past three seasons. From 33 wins in 2015 to 36 in 2016 and eventually 37 wins last spring. Each one of those seasons brought with it a second place finish in the North Central Community College Conference and another step forward in postseason play. The 2017 campaign ended with the WolfPack's first-ever appearance in the Region IV Division II Championship, which they lost 2-1 to Waubonsee Community College.

With the return of ten second year players, combined with arguably the most talented incoming class in program history, Madison College appears as ready as ever to take its place among the nation's top junior college programs.

Eighth year head coach Leo Kalinowski knows what it takes to compete and win at a high level, winning three consecutive national championships with the Madison College baseball program in the mid-1990's.

"It starts with our very talented leadership group, all of whom already have plans to continue playing softball at the next level."

Riley Landenberger was named all-conference and all-region after contributing at the plate, in the circle, and in the field. The sophomore from Roscoe, Illinois, batted .357 with 17 RBI and 15 runs scored as a middle infielder, while going 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA as a pitcher.

Emily Wiederholt and Hannah Wienen will add to the dangerous pitching rotation after impressive first seasons. Wiederholt, a Cuba City High School product, led the 'Pack with 11 wins and a 2.14 ERA a season ago, Wienen, from Scales Mound, Illinois, was tops in strikeouts with 91 and was part of back-to-back no-hitters.

Ashley Burg, Ashley Kniesel, and Ali Braddock return from award-winning debut seasons to highlight a healthy crop of position players and hitters ready to lead the WolfPack. Burg, out of Slinger, Wisconsin, was tops in runs scored and second in hits while enjoying of the best hitting seasons ever seen in a WolfPack uniform that earned her all-region accolades. Kniesel and Braddock found their groove late in the season to earn Region IV All-Tournament Team honors. Also back are power-hitting catcher Katelyn Gilbertson and outfielder Claire Brzenk.

To push the program to more unfamiliar heights, Kalinowski and his staff have brought in a collection of first year players he simply labels as "deep in talent and speed."

Outfielder Sam Schloegl transferred to Madison College from NCAA Division III Aurora University, where she hit .310 and made a dozen starts. A true leadoff hitter, Schloegl will be joined near the top of the order by the likes of Hannah Grahl, a proven winner who helped lead Laconia High School to three consecutive WIAA Division III State Championships, as well as Paige Cornelissen, Kylie Endres, Morgyn DeLara, Nicole Ferch, and Olivia Bancroft-Hart. All six of those true freshman were named to the Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association (WFSCA) all-district and all-star teams.

Any questions regarding the abilities of the team and putting it all together were answered in the season's first weekend. Madison College opened with the 2018 schedule by posting six wins at the N4C Dome Jamboree, including a 4-1 upset of four-time defending NJCAA Division III national champion Rock Valley College. The Golden Eagles, ranked #1 in the NJCAA DIII Poll and winners of five straight conference titles, had won 14 straight over the 'Pack and will host Madison College on April 10. The WolfPack also took down #10 College of DuPage en route to outscoring its opponents 70-9 and setting a new program record for best start to a season.

The impressive weekend moved Madison College to #14 in the NJCAA Division II Poll. Next up, they will attempt to extend their season-opening win streak when they open a seven-day, 13-game trip to Florida on Friday, March 9 in Clermont. While there, they will play several NJCAA programs, like Glen Oaks Community College (MI, 1-1), Ancilla College (IN, 0-3), Iowa Lakes Community College (IA, 3-3), Marshalltown Community College (IA, 0-2), Mott Community College (MI, 0-0), Jackson Community College (MI, 0-0), South Suburban College (IL, 3-0), Dakota County Technical College (MN, 0-0), and St. Clair County Community College (MI, 0-0). In addition, the 'Pack will square off with the NCAA DIII JV team from Anderson University.
(NOTE: All time listed on the schedule page are in Madison/Central Standard Time. Florida, located in the Eastern Time Zone, operates one hour ahead.)

Once back in the Midwest, the WolfPack will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 22 to play #5 Kirkwood Community College, a NJCAA DII National Tournament team a season ago. Following another doubleheader at South Suburban College, Madison College will host new in-state foe Bryant & Stratton College in the home opener at Robert D. Goodman Softball Field on March 29 to kick off the second year of the Irwin A. & Robert D. Goodman Sports Complex. The N4C slate begins on April 3 at the College of DuPage, with the home conference opener against Joliet Junior College on April 5.

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