BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team was predicted to finish third in the 2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference coaches' poll, as released by the league earlier this week.

In addition, Warrior standout Abbie Hlas was named the 2023 NSIC Softball Preseason Player-of-the-Year by coaches from around the league.

Hlas' honor comes following an outstanding 2022 season in which she contributed to Warrior's success in almost every way possible.

At the plate, Hlas hit .446 overall and had an OPS of 1.156. The junior from Adel, Iowa topped the Warrior charts in hits (82) and RBIs (41) and was top-three in runs (46), doubles (18), and at-bats (184).
 
In the circle, Hlas went 6-5 overall, making 12 starts in 16 appearances.  Hlas struck out 36 batters and threw five complete games, including three shutouts.

The success had by Hlas helped propel Winona State to an NCAA playoff appearance and powered the Warriors to a runner-up finish in the NSIC Tournament.  Hlas earned D2CCA All-America honors among her many post-season accolades.
 
With Hlas helping to lead the way, Winona State earned a 41-17 overall record in 2022 and qualified for the 2022 NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament.  The Warriors earned a third-place regular season finish in the NSIC and played their way to the 2022 NSIC Softball Tournament championship game.

In terms of offense, Winona State will also look to Libby Neveau and Marissa Mullen to pick up in 2023 where they left off in 2022, as both Warriors hit ten home runs on the year.  Neveau collected a .477 slugging percentage last season while Mullen was second on the squad in RBIs with 39.  WSU also returns Carly Engelhardt, an All-NSIC selection who also was named to the NSIC All-Tournament team; Engelhardt hit .449 for the Warriors as a sophomore.  Logan Anderson heads into her sophomore year having hit three home runs and a pair of doubles, including a two-home run performance in a comeback win over Minot State on April 24. 
 
The Winona State pitching corps will be in the unique position of not having a returning All-American for the first time in six years, presenting an opportunity for several new faces to start their own legacy. In addition to Hlas' experience in the circle, WSU returns Abby Smith, a sophomore from Hartland, Wis. who went 7-4 and threw five complete games. Smith was named the WSU Pitcher to Watch by the NSIC this spring. Joining Hlas and Smith are newcomers Skyler Calmes and Morgan Smetana, a pair of freshman pitchers.

Head coach Greg Jones, heading into his 23^rd year, is known to produce teams that are sound defensively, and last year was no different. As a team, Winona State led the NSIC in fielding percentage (.974) and committed just 36 errors, also the best mark in the league. Jones is joined on staff by a veteran trio of assistants. Chad Tuescher has been on staff since 2008 and pitching coach Cyndy Jones will lead the WSU pitching corps.  The newest addition to the Warrior dugout is a familiar face, with Ali Nowak returning to Winona State as an assistant this spring.  
 
Winona State will compete as road Warriors to begin the 2023 season. WSU will host NAIA power Grand View in a dome double-header on Wednesday, Feb. 15 before hitting the road for tournaments in Kansas, Illinois, and Florida. The Warriors will open NSIC play as the away team in their first three matchups, before opening at home on Wednesday, April 5 when they welcome Augustana University to Maynard Johnson Field. 

WSU will conclude their regular season with three consecutive home doubleheaders, including a showdown with rival Minnesota State on April 25. The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament is scheduled for May 4 - 7 in Rochester, Minn.

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.  

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.