SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – After a lot of practice time and patience, the University of Sioux Falls Softball Team (0-0) will open the 2021 Softball season on Feb. Feb. 26-28 at the Washburn Invitational in Topeka, Kan.

Just last spring, the Cougars jumped off to a good start and stood 11-8 before the CoVID-19 ended their season. Now, led by Head Coach Shannon Pivovar, this experienced group is ready to get the season started.

USF will play six games at the Washburn Invitational with five of them available to follow for fans on live stats. Follow USF Softball at the following Washburn Invitational by clicking here:   

Schedule – Washburn Invitational
Feb. 26
USF (0-0) vs. Missouri-St. Louis (0-0), Noon, Gahnstrom Field – Live Stats
Series History - At noon on Feb. 26, the Cougars will open the season vs Missouri St. Louis at Gahnstrom Field on Topeka, Kan.. This will be the first ever matchup between the two schools. MSL was 12-12 a year ago.

USF (0-0) vs. Rockhurst (0-0), 2 pm, Gahnstrom Field – Live Stats
Series History -  USF is 0-1 against Rockhurst as they dropping a 6-1 decision on March 12, 2019. A year ago, Rockhurst finished 13-7.

Feb. 27
USF (0-0) vs. Pittsburg State (1-3), 11 am, Gahnstrom Field – Live Stats
Series History - USF stands 1-4 against PSU with a the most recent game a 3-0 loss on March 1, 2020. USF's victory over PSU was a 6-4 decision on March 20, 2016 in St. Joseph, Mo. In 2020, PSU finished 11-17.

USF (0-0) vs. Fort Hays State (2-6), 3 p.m., Hummer South (live stats no available)
Series History - In the last match up, the Cougars took a 5-3 win over FHSU on Feb. 29, 2020. USF is 3-0 all-time against FHSU with a 2-0 win on Feb. 24, 2018 and an 8-1 decision on March 18, 2017. Last year, FHSU was 15-13.

Feb. 28
USF (0-0) vs. Washburn (2-2), Noon, Gahnstrom Field - Live Stats
Series History -  In the last contest between the schools, USF took a 1-0 decision. All-time USF is 2-2 against WU. USF also took a 2-0 win on Feb. 23, 2020 in Topeka, Kan. On March 18, 2016, WU won, 5-2, and they also picked up an 8-0 win over USF on Feb. 24, 2013.  Washburn finished 14-13 in 2019-20.

USF (0-0) vs. Central Missouri, 2 pm, Gahnstrom Field - Live Stats
Series History - A year ago on March 1, 2020, USF dropped a 6-5 decision to UCM, which improved their mark to 5-0 all-time. The Cougars fell, 2-1, on March 22, 2019; 7-4 on March 18, 2017; 6-1 on March 15, 2015; and 4-3 on March 15, 2015. UCM finished 11-6 a year ago.

USF returns a wealth of experience and talented newcomers - coming off 11-8 season
With a wealth of experience and a multitude of talented newcomers, USF is looking forward to the opening of the season this weekend.

Coming off an 11-8 season cut short by the CoVID-19 pandemic, the Cougars return 12 student-athletes and welcomes in seven newcomers who hope to make an impact and continues the program's winning ways. Picked ninth in the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, USF Softball received  120 points in the poll, which was just two out of eighth and behind Minot State at 122. Freshman pitcher Hanna Cress and infielder Shayla Running were named NSIC Players to Watch. 

A year ago, USF ranked ninth in the NSIC in hitting (.285), eighth in pitching (3.27 ERA) and third in fielding (.963). With eight of the top nine hitters back along with two pitchers who combined for 13 starts and 23 appearances, fourth-year USF Head Coach Shannon Pivovar has a group to be excited about.

"The ability to get our team together and play games is what excites me most about this upcoming season. We have a great bunch of kids who have rolled with every single punch and deflection we have thrown at them and have become better because of it. They work hard in the classroom, the weight room, and on the field and they have fun doing it. I am excited to watch their hard work pay off - our squad mixes speed and power offensively, a talented staff in the circle, and some fire in their belly due to the missed 2020 season. I can't wait for the first pitch of 2021 with this family," said Pivovar. 

Leading the offense will be two players who ranked in the league's top 10 after playing 19 games a year ago. They include NSIC Player to Watch in freshman Shayla Running (.431, 7^th, NSIC hitting; .569 slugging, .468 OBP,) and 1B/P Kaitlyn Van Der Zwaag (.429 BA, 8^th in NSIC; 2 HR, 10 RBI, .690 slugging and .579 OBP, 2^nd in the NSIC) along with center fielder Frankie Mickelson (career - .286 BA, 14 HR and 64 RBI). Cassie Van Beek (career - .261, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 9 SB), Lexie Swift (.279, 9 RBI, .393 slugging) and Emmie Uitts (.300 BA, .344 OBP).

VanDerZwaag (4-2, 3.78 era, 10A, 3S, 24K) and USF's Pitcher to Watch in sophomore Hanna Cress (5-3, 3.87 ERA, 13A, 10S, 2 CG, 47K) will lead the pitching staff.

USF has also several returners with experience, including transfers Mika Rodriguez (13 career HRs, 67 career RBI), Rachel Klassen and Kennedy Thomas, as well as Kylan Straight, Emily Cheloha, Kylie Madrid, Peyton Senger. This team also features a group of talented freshmen including Megan Lawson, Emma Spizzirri, Danielle Klenke, Damaris Cuevas and Shayla Shaver.

"We are lucky to have 12 athletes back from our 2020 squad and have added a pair of transfers and five freshmen to that mix. I genuinely love being around our team," said Pivovar (46-46 record). "They are intuitive, hard-working, and competitive on and off the softball field and our family culture provides the glue to hold us together. I am excited to see what they are able to accomplish together this spring," Pivovar said.