The Madison College softball program has officially put itself on the national map after consecutive trips to the NJCAA Division II National Tournament. Head coach Leo Kalinowski and the WolfPack are now looking to find a way to not only stay there, but also push forward to better finishes after placing sixth in 2018 and ninth 2019. The 2020 edition appears primed for that type of progress as they prepare to open their season this week.

"We're looking for a good year with a team that's filled with strong pitching, versatility, and defensive depth," states Kalinowski, the ten year head coach who has led the turnaround from an 0-33 team in 2011 to one that has won more than 50 games and is contending for conference, regional, and national titles.

The top returners from 2019 will be righthanded pitcher Jordan Martin and outfielder Irene Tomasovic. Martin was all-region and FastpitchNews.com All-American in her first collegiate season, posting a 16-3 record with a 1.88 ERA, numbers that rank second and third, respectively, in program history for a single season. The Hortonville, Wisconsin, native and NCAA Division I UW-Green Bay commit broke the school record for strikeouts in a season with 146, leaving her 59 shy of the career mark. Tomasovic, who reeled in all-conference, all-region, and FastpitchNews.com All-American accolades will steady the batting order with her consistent swing. A native of Kimberly, Wisconsin, the five-tool Tomasovic led the WolfPack in nearly every offensive category as a freshman, and ranked second in batting average (.491) and hits (79) for a single season.

"Jordan is the ace of our staff and is looking to improve upon her great freshman season this spring, while Irene will anchor one of our outfield spots and hit in the middle of the order."

That sophomore duo is joined by catchers/outfielders Paige Hintz and Morgan Dercola, first baseman Anna Manke, and pitchers Cathryn Hiller and Brianna Farrington in the returning class. Dercola, a former Sussex Hamilton High School athlete, was a second team all-conference pick.

Completing the 2019 roster is an incoming class that will have a high number of contributors throughout the 2020 season. Olivia Bobak (Monroe, WI), Lauren Green (Cumberland, WI), and Emma Wein (Platteville, WI) are three strong righthanded arms to round out the pitching staff. Katherine Brandl (Fort Atkinson, WI), Callie Schnitger (Jefferson, WI), Kaylee Ramirez (DeForest, WI), Megan Miklesh (Plover, WI), Kylle Hraban (Waupun, WI), Gracie Malin (La Crosse, WI), Paige Peloquin (Janesville, WI), and Abby Luczak (Rosendale, WI) will all provide competition and depth throughout the infield, while Sabrina Reuter (Sun Prairie, WI) is expected to jump right into a spot in the outfield.

"This freshman class combines speed, versatility,and athleticism. The new pitchers make our overall staff very deep, and the position players add needed depth and versatility around the infield. Reuter will provide speed and strong defensive skills in the outfield that were lost to graduation. This group also knows how to win and play at a high level, with five players that reached the state tournament and three that were voted as their conference's player of the year."

Kalinowski will also rely on the outstanding work of his coaching staff, which comes back fully intact from 2019. Leading the group is Mike Bridge, who was named the 2019 NJCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the NFCA and Easton.

Madison College started the year ranked #9 in the NJCAA Division II Poll, and have dropped two spots ahead of their season opener. And for the third year in a row the WolfPack will open the 2020 schedule with a showdown against #1-ranked Rock Valley College, who won their sixth consecutive national championship and seventh straight North Central Community College Conference title in 2019. That contest is Thursday, March 5 and jump-starts the eight-game N4C Dome Jamboree that also include a matchup with #6 Joliet Junior College. Madison College will then make their annual trek south for their Florida Spring Trip from March 12-18 and play 12 games in seven days. Part of that trip will be one game with DII #16 Iowa Central Community College and DIII #4 Onondaga Community College (NY). Once back in Wisconsin, the 'Pack will kickoff an eight-game homestand with the home-opening doubleheader against DII #6 Kirkwood Community College (IA) on Wednesday, March 25 at the Robert D. Goodman Softball Field. The rest of the schedule also includes a key home doubleheader against Rock Valley College on April 16.

"Our main goal is a third trip to nationals. The challenge will be the number of strong regional opponents that we have to go through to get there. Remaining injury free for the long season, especially at pitcher, will be key. I believe pitching and defense will prove to be our strengths, while our main concern will be consistency in hitting from our newcomers."

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