The Iowa Lakes Softball program will officially open up the 2017 season Friday, March 3rd at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, NE. The first game will start at 4:30 p.m., with the second game immediately following. The Lakers will then travel to Cloud County Community College to play in five games for their Spring Classic. 

Iowa Lakes is in their second season under Head Coach Katie Larson. The Lakers finished with an overall record of 26-24 and a conference record of 13-15. This was the most wins overall and in conference play since 2011. They made their first Regional Championship appearance since 2010 and had their first ICCAC Player of the Week, Lauren Hein, since 2011. The team also had six athletes named to the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Division II Softball All-Region teams.  

Larson had this to say about the season, "I am very excited to see what this group of girls can do this year. We are coming off an improved year last year, but are looking to build upon that this year. This group of girls comes in every day to work hard and compete. These characteristics will drive them to be a successful team on the field this season."

Infield 

With the return of Deanna Gerrad (So., C/OF, Southey, SK, Canada), the Lakers will return six sophomores on the dirt. After tearing her ACL in her freshman season, Deanna will be looking at significant time behind the plate. She will be looked upon to lead the team both defensively and offensively. In her freshman season, Gerrard batted .480 with an on base percentage of .580. She was also awarded 2nd Team All-Region honors during the season.  

Courtney Calkins (So., P/INF, Maple Grove, MN) will be asked to build upon her year last year. Calkins will be joined by freshman Ashton Kazmierski (Fr., P, Windsor, CO) and Kaitlyn Bowman (Fr., P, Carson City, NV) to create a balanced attack within the circle for the Lakers. Each pitcher brings something different to the table, which will allow the Lakers to mix things up when they need to. Lauren Hein (So., INF/P, Andover, MN) will also be seeing time on the rubber this season.  

ILCC has a ton of versatility on their infield. Shelby Davis (So., INF/C, Rapid City, SD) will be seeing time at both corner positions, as well as catching. Shelby was awarded 2nd Team All-Region, batted .353, and had a slugging percentage of .500 last season. Davis will be joined at the corners by sophomores Julia Pfeiffer (Fr., 1B, Honolulu, HI) and Blaney Markman (Fr., INF, Jackson, MN) and freshman Kaitlin Walsh (Fr., 1B/OF, Medford, WI) and Kenlee Frank (Fr., 3B/C, Greeley, CO). Lauren Hein will be strong up the middle for the Lakers again this season. Hein batted .416 with an on base percentage of .456 last season. She was also awarded ICCAC Player of the Week and selected 2nd Team All-Region last season. Hein will again be joined by Calkins and Markman this season. Freshman Desiree Lopez (Fr., INF/OF, Redlands, CA) and Leilani San Pedro (Fr., OF/INF, Redlands, CA) round out the infield and will be seeing significant time up the middle as well.  

Outfield 

The Lakers will only return MaKarlie Smith (So., OF, Charter Oak, IA) in the outfield this season. Larson will be looking for three girls to step up and earn their spot at the end of the year.  Julia Sullwold (Fr., OF, Brooklyn Park, MN), Jadin Bezdicek (Fr., OF, Jackson, MN), Montanna Popp (Fr., OF, Adel, IA), Desiree Lopez, Leilani San Pedro, and Kaitlin Walsh will all be seeing time in the grass.