Softball announces 2020-21 team captains
10/22/2020 12:55:00 PM | Softball
ST. CLOUD, MINN. - The weather outside is frightful, which means the St. Cloud State University softball spring season is just around the corner. With dome season fast approaching, the Huskies announced their captains for the 2020-21 season, including super senior second baseman Maya Keating (Wheaton, Ill. / Wheaton-Warrensville), true senior Megan Conrads (Lakeville, Minn. / Lakeville South), and redshirt sophomores Lauren Kirchberg (Columbus, Wis. / Columbus) and Jasmin Estrada (Litchfield, Minn. / Litchfield).
"This team is a pack of tremendous women," said head softball coach Paula U'Ren. "I feel like our four captains will stand in front of or behind everyone on our team and push or pull them to be better throughout the season. Each one possesses the strength to either lead with their voice, actions, softball skills, or humor. They are all highly respected on their team, by both their teammates and the coaching staff, and we are very confident in their communication and leadership abilities to be the captains for the 2020-2021 year. "
Keating, a two-time captain for the Huskies, returns after her original senior season came to an abrupt end in 2020. A 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, Keating hit .360 during the COVID shortened season with 27 hits in 73 at bats for St. Cloud State. As a junior in 2019, she put together a breakout season, earning Second Team All-NSIC and First Team All-Region honors after batting .401 with a team-leading 77 hits. She led the team and ranked top-10 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) in batting average (.401), hits (77) and on base percentage (.447) and ranked second in runs scored (49) and stolen bases (29) amongst her teammates. Additionally, Keating concluded the 2019 season as one of the top second basemen in the conference thanks to her .968 fielding percentage in NSIC play.
"Being a Husky is everything to me, and these girls mean everything to me" Keating said in a statement. "Deciding to come back for the fifth year was an easy choice to make because of this team's chemistry and bond. I'm excited to get back on the field and compete with them soon."
Like Keating, Conrads will serve as team captain for a second consecutive season. As a sophomore in 2019, Conrads earned multiple accolades for her performances on and off the field, including NSIC Player of the Week, Second Team All-NSIC and Academic All-Conference honors. That season, Conrads appeared in all 61 games and made 55 starts, primarily at first base and in right field. She tallied 56 hits in 166 at bats for the Huskies, concluding the season with a .337 batting average with 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 44 RBI. Most impressively, Conrads opened the season with a 14-game hit streak against conference opponents, and tallied 198 defensive putouts at first base. 
"Being a Husky is an amazing experience. It is a family, and this team is both unique and special" voiced Conrads, echoing Keating's statement. "You can count on everybody, you can lean on everybody, and they will always be there. This program has made such an impact on my life, and it is something I will never forget."Â
Estrada and Kirchberg are both first time team captains and earn the honor after impressive rookie and sophomore seasons. As a first year in 2019, Estrada earned Second Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Region, and NSIC All-Tournament Team honors after ranking toward the top of the NSIC in batting average, hits, RBI, total bases and slugging percentage throughout the entire season. Throughout the season, the designated player delivered several clutch hits, earning NSIC Softball Player of the Week honors in mid-March.
"This team is highly competitive, and I get so excited to practice with them everyday because we bring so much energy and drive into everything we do," said Estrada. "Being a Husky softball player challenges me to be the best I can be every day, and that is why I love being a part of this program."
Kirchberg earned Most Improved Player honors at the conclusion of the 2019 season after an impressive debut with St. Cloud State. In her first season, Kirchberg appeared in 18 games with one start, primarily serving as the team's top relief pitcher. That year, Kirchberg posted a team low 1.33 ERA as a first year, as she surrendered just nine earned runs in 47.1 innings pitched. Additionally, she concluded the season with a 5-0 record, earning conference wins over Minnesota State, Concordia-St. Paul and Sioux Falls.Â
"There is so much to be said about what it means to be a Husky," commented Kirchberg. "It is about growth, strength, passion, but most importantly, it is about family. Husky softball is all about getting better as a player and person together as a team. The support of a husky family lasts a lifetime, so being a husky means being a part of the pack for life. Our team is ready for the best season to come. We know what we are capable of and are striving to reach those goals."
As of now, the Huskies plan to open the season the weekend of February 12-14 when they host the annual Kelly Laas Crossover Invite.Â
