TITLE IX SPOTLIGHT, Softball

CSP celebrates the 50th anniversary of Title IX

6.9.23

By: Patrick Rydeen

ST. PAUL, Minn. – In honor of the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the Concordia-St. Paul athletic department will be spotlighting its nine female athletic programs throughout the 2022-23 school year. The eighth spotlight is the CSP softball program.

Title IX keeps the competitive and athletic experience alive for everyone! I have the ability to get an education and pursue a game that I love with easy access. I am stronger, wiser, and a more well rounded individual due to the work and play on and off the field. Title IX puts in the work for me to enjoy the athletic experience along with my teammates. I am happy to be able to compete in women's sports and excited to see how they continue to grow!

CSP junior outfielder Clara Heislen

The 2023 Concordia-St. Paul softball team

PROGRAM QUICK FACTS

First Season as a Varsity Sport: 1969
First NSIC Win: 4-0 vs MSU Moorhead, Apr. 8, 2000
First NSIC Tournament Championship: 2001, 27-14-1 overall & 10-1 NSIC
First NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2004, 42-20 overall & 11-5 NSIC
First All-NSIC Selection: Paige Dopp, First Team, 2000
First All-America Selection: Kristen Schmidt, NFCA Third Team, 2005

Title IX has provided me the opportunity to travel across the country, play at great complexes and get an excellent education. Sharing these experiences with my teammates, who understand the challenges of the women that came before us, allows our team to excel and play the sport we love without additional barriers.

CSP junior first baseman Annalise Scamehorn

The 2005 Golden Bears reach the NCAA Division II Championships for the first time in program history

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

2005 Golden Bears

First NCAA Super Region Championship
First NCAA Elite Eight appearance
Tied for most wins in program history (44)
Highest Single-Season Winning Percentage (.746)
Second Consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance
Third NSIC Tournament Championship
First NFCA All-America Selection: Kristen Schmidt, Third Team

In my 26 years in college softball Title IX has made a huge positive impact on our sport. Our student-athletes have continued to see improvement not only in CSP women’s facilities but around the NSIC as well. Title IX has been a noticeable catalyst in improving all aspects of our program and the programs we compete against.

CSP head coach Bob Bartel

PROGRAM RECORD HOLDERS

Career Batting Average – .396 – Nicole Thompson (2015-18)
Career Hits – 265 – Carlie Hart (2016-19)
Career Home Runs – 36 – Sami Mattson (2008-11)
Career Runs Batted In – 141 – Abby Brundidge (2007-10) & Justine Schattner (2016-19)
Career Total Bases – 370 – Anna Bjorlin (2007-10)
Career Stolen Bases – 108 – Katie Anderson (2009-12)
Career Earned Run Average – 1.45 – Kristen Schmidt (2003-06)
Career Opponent Average – .181 – Kristen Schmidt (2003-06)
Career Wins – 86 – Kristen Schmidt (2003-06)
Career Strikeouts – 1,007 – Kristen Schmidt (2003-06)

CSP HALL OF FAME

Cindy Pummill, '78
Peggie Jackson, '79
Ruth Wagner Hagenow, '80
Cynthia Wulf McGrath, '80
Debra David Kelzer, '82
Rhonda Hintz Whitcomb, '84
Connie Michna Huberty, '85
Christine Alsbury Piepkorn, '86
Barb Beise Sherwood, '87
Sandra Hammes, '88
Connie Kiedrowski, '88
Shelley Weber Krueger, '89
Susan Maslowski Farinacci, '92
Carrie Rindal, '93
Angie Jacox Patterson, '94
Heather Miller Whitcomb, '95
Naomi Stohlmann, '98
Kelli Strehlo Schunk, '98
Paige Dopp, '02
Janet Brownawell Smith, '03
Lisa Harfield Borowitz, '03
Jennifer Pozzani, '05
Kristen Schmidt Soukup, '06
Amanda Yurek, '08
Anna Bjorlin Graves, '10
Sami Mattson, '11
Katie Anderson McKenzie, '12