After finishing 35-17 last season with a program-high 21 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference wins and a NCAA Division II Central Regional berth for the first time since 2012, expectations are certainly high for the University of Minnesota Duluth to return to the tournament and advance to the Super Regionals for the first time ever this spring A lone senior and a trio of juniors headline the returners that have the Bulldogs on pace at 18-8 after dispatching St. Cloud State University in the home opener this past Tuesday 7-6 and 6-4.
However, six freshmen (
Lexi Janigo,
Lauren Greeder,
Ashley Taipale,
Jayme Langbehn,
Lauren Oberle and
Breanna Swint) have filled the void nicely that saw UMD lose four players with three-plus years of starting experience. Taipale and Swift have corralled the circle as reliable options in different situations picking up four wins and three saves combined between the two of them. Greeder has served as a specialist coming off the bench, a team-high 13 times, hitting at a .350-clip while being utilized as a defensive replacement in late-game situations. Janigo has filled in as the designated hitter and the No. 2 backstopper fielding at perfect rate with no errors or passed balls. Lengbehn, who had the game-winning homer versus the Huskies, is one of two full-time freshman starters patrolling left field, the other is Oberle at third base. Oberle leads the club in home runs (5), walks (11), RBIs (22) and slugging percentage (.605) through 26 games.
Heading into the first Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference weekend, get to know the first-time players better before their home doubleheaders against the University of Mary (Saturday at 2 p.m.) and Minot State University (Sunday at 12 noon) at James S. Malosky Stadium.
LEXI JANIGO
Position: Utility
Hometown: Brule, Wis.
High School: Northwestern H.S.
Bat/Throw: L/R
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
HER FAVORITES
Road Trip: Florida
Professional Athlete(s): Joe Mauer and Clay Mathews III
Professional Team(s): The Minnesota Twins and the Green Bay Packers
Pastime: Reading any genre of books
Obsession: Elvis and coffee
Color: Black
College Course: CSD, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Prized Possession: My Elvis blanket made by my oldest sister
TV Show: American Horror Story
Singer or Group: Pink Floyd
Book (Author): The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Food: Super One fried chicken
Drink: Coffee
Movie: The Replacements
Actor/Actress: Angelina Jolie
Restaurant: China Inn
Vacation Spot: Herbster, Wis.
Place in Duluth: Canal Park
Mobile App: Bitmoji
Website: Wikipedia
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: It's a beautiful area and not too far from home.
First Played Competitive Softball: 2nd grade when I was 7 years old.
Game Day Ritual: I put my socks on first, then pants, then jersey, then belt. No seeds, sunglasses on head at all time, no matter the weather.
Most Memorable Softball Moment: Going to State my senior year of high school.
I'm Looking Forward to Playing: Minnesota State-Mankato
Why I Wear No. 10: The 10th man on the field
Biggest Strength: Asking questions
Biggest Weakness: Asking too many questions
Pet Peeve: Do not snore or breathe in my face.
Biggest Fear: Falling to my death
My First Job (Age): Haven't had one yet.
Nickname (if applicable): Lex
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Elvis but he's dead
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I have a very spunky personality.
Biggest Accomplishment: Graduating high school and getting into college
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I like the myself the way I am.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My ChapStick
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Water Polo
The Best Thing About College Softball: Being with my teammates; we're a family.
Influences On My Athletic Career: I love the sport too much not to play.
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Hard work pays off.
Post UMD Plans: Go to Grad school
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LAUREN GREEDER
Position: Utility
Hometown: Stillwater, Minn.
High School: Stillwater H.S.
Bat/Throw: L/R
Major: Sociology
HER FAVORITES
Road Trip: Missouri
Professional Athlete(s): Jamie Langenbrunner
Professional Team(s): New Jersey Devils
Color: Blue
Prized Possession: My Heelys
TV Show: The Office
Singer or Group: Lil Wayne
Book (Author): Marley and Me by John Grogan
Food: Lasagna
Drink: Water
Movie: Adventure of Babysitting
Actor/Actress: Seth Rogen
Restaurant: Meister Bar & Grill in Stillwater, Minn.
Vacation Spot: Mexico
Place in Duluth: Team Nutrition
Mobile App: Snapchat
Website: YouTube
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: I have always loved Duluth and wanted to be a Bulldog.
Most Memorable Softball Moment: Hitting my first ever homerun in the section playoffs in high school.
Why I Wear No. 13: It was my hockey number in high school.
Pet Peeve: People touching their eyeballs and belly buttons
Biggest Fear: Belly Buttons
My First Job (Age): Marx Restaurant in downtown Stillwater
Nickname: Lorena, Greeder, Greeds, Lil Lauren g
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Lil Wayne
What Most People Don't Know About Me: That my car's name is Dwanye.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: Ponytail
The Best Thing About College Softball: My teammates
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Have fun and play hard.
Post UMD Plans: I'm not sure yet.
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ASHLEY TAIPALE
Position: Pitcher/Infielder
Hometown: Duluth, Minn.
High School: Denfeld H.S.
Bat/Throw: R/R
Major: Undeclared
HER FAVORITES
Opponent: University of Minnesota
Road Trip: Florida
Professional Athlete(s): Keilani Ricketts (pitcher for the USSSA Pride)
Professional Team(s): USSSA Pride (Professional Fastpitch team in Kissimmee, Fla.)
Pastime: Fishing and Canoeing
Obsession: Animals
Color: Blue
College Course: Developmental Psychology
Prized Possession: A ring that was given to me from my grandma that passed away.
TV Show: The Walking Dead
Singer or Group: Luke Bryan
Book (Author): Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Food: Chicken
Drink: Raspberry ice tea
Movie: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler
Restaurant: Olive Garden
Vacation Spot: Universal Studios in Orlando Florida
Place in Duluth: Brighton Beach
Mobile App: Snapchat
Website: Netflix
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: When I met the team they were very welcoming and it was close to home.
First Played Competitive Softball: 7th grade
Game Day Ritual: Listen to music
Most Memorable Softball Moment: It was my sophomore year in high school and we went 13 innings with Superior and I drove in the game-winning run.
I'm Looking Forward to Playing: The University of Wisconsin Superior because if we scrimmage them next year I get to play against my sister Ciarra.
Why I Wear No. 17: Because it is a odd number.
Best Opposing Player I've Ever Faced Thus Far: Current teammate Hannah Schmoll
Biggest Strength: Staying Humble.
Biggest Weakness: Knowing when my body needs a break instead of pushing it to far.
Pet Peeve: Being lied to.
Biggest Fear: Tornadoes
My First Job (Age): baby sitter/ dog sitter
Nickname: Ash
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Norman Reedus
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I refuse to watch any movie where a dog dies because I will cry for hours after.
Biggest Accomplishment: Scoring 1,000 points and broke the scoring record my junior year for basketball.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: To be more outgoing.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My phone
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Tennis
The Best Thing About College Softball: Having your teammates be your a second family.
Influences On My Athletic Career: My biggest influence was former Denfeld grad and current assistant women's hockey head coach Laura Bellamy.
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Do what makes you happy because if you don't love it you are wasting your time.
Post UMD Plans: I'm not sure about my career but I know I want to coach after college. |
JAYME LANGBEHN
Position: Outfielder
Hometown: Elk River, Minn.
High School: Elk River H.S.
Bat/Throw: R/L
Major: Exercise Science
HER FAVORITES
Opponent: Minnesota State, Mankato
Road Trip: Best road trip is to Yellowstone. For softball, any out-of-state tournament.
Professional Athlete(s): Lebron James
Professional Team(s): Minnesota Vikings
Obsession: My phone
Color: Light orange
College Course: Chemistry
TV Show: Scandal
Book (Author): Sold by Patricia McCormick
Food: Pizza
Drink: Lemonade
Movie: Pirates of the Caribbean
Actor/Actress: Johnny Depp
Restaurant: Don Pablos
Vacation Spot: Hawaii
Place in Duluth: Canal Park
Mobile App: Snapchat
Website: Twitter
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: I like the town of Duluth, the atmosphere of the school, and my teammates.
First Played Competitive Softball: 6th grade
Game Day Ritual: I don't have a ritual
Most Memorable Softball Moment: Winning State in high school
I'm Looking Forward to Playing: Minnesota State-Mankato, in conference tournament (hopefully beyond that too). Also, my friend Olivia Wolters, who plays at Augustana.
Why I Wear No. 19: One of the only numbers left.
Best Opposing Player I've Ever Faced Thus Far: Sydney Smith in high school (pitcher at LSU)
Biggest Strength: Reading the ball in the outfield
Biggest Weakness: My own head
Biggest Fear: Letting my parents down
My First Job (Age): Nannying in high school.
Nickname: Jayms, Jamison, j-dog, Jim, Jimbo
Biggest Accomplishment: Playing college softball
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: Getting down on myself so easily
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My phone
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Volleyball
The Best Thing About College Softball: Traveling and playing
Influences On My Athletic Career: My dad
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Give everything all you got, give 100% effort all the time and play every game like it's your last because you never know what could happen.
Post UMD Plans: Attend physical therapy school and get a job as a physical therapist in a children's hospital. |
LAUREN OBERLE
Position: Infielder
Hometown: Eden Prarie, Minn.
High School: Eden Prarie H.S.
Bat/Throw: R/R
Major: Undeclared
HER FAVORITES
Opponent: Minnesota State, Mankato
Road Trip: Any out of town trips for softball.
Professional Athlete(s): Alexander Ovechkin
Professional Team(s): Washington Capitals and the Minnesota Wild
Pastime: Playing sports with my older brother everyday.
Color: Red
College Course: Psychology
TV Show: Grey's Anatomy
Singer or Group: Sam Hunt
Book (Author): Girls Like Us by Sheila Weller
Food: Steak
Drink: Lemonade
Movie: Miracle On Ice
Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler
Restaurant: Outback Steakhouse
Vacation Spot: Puerto Rico
Place in Duluth: Canal Park
Mobile App: Instagram
Website: Twitter
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: The city Duluth, academics, and the softball team
First Played Competitive Softball: 7th grade
Game Day Ritual: Nothing specific
Most Memorable Softball Moment: Winning the Lake conference and going to the section championship senior year
I'm Looking Forward to Playing: against many former teammates in the conference.
Why I Wear No. 22: No reason
Best Opposing Player I've Ever Faced Thus Far: Sydney Smith, who is currently playing at Louisiana State University
Biggest Strength: Leading by example
Biggest Weakness: Public speaking
Biggest Fear: Heights
My First Job (Age): Nannying throughout high school
Nickname: Obs
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Alexander Ovechkin
Biggest Accomplishment: Playing college softball.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: To be more outgoing in certain situations.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My Phone
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Swimming
The Best Thing About College Softball: Playing with people who care so much about the game
Influences On My Athletic Career: My mom and Dad, and old coaches.
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Stick with the game and never give up.
Post UMD Plans: Find something in the public health field. |
BREANNA SWINT
Position: Pitcher
Hometown: Marysville, Calif.
High School: Lindhurst H.S.
Bat/Throw: R/R
Major: Exercise Science
HER FAVORITES
Opponent: University of Minnesota
Road Trip: Florida
Professional Athlete(s): Jenny Finch
Professional Team(s): USSSA Pride (Professional Fastpitch team in Kissimmee, Fla.) and San Francisco Giants
Pastime: Listening to music, swimming, hiking, anything outdoors
Obsession: Tacos and massages.
Color: Pink
College Course: Health or Biology
Prized Possession: Pictures of my grandma and grandpa.
TV Show: NCIS
Singer or Group: Drake or Sam Hunt
Book (Author): Before The Fall by Noah Hawley
Food: Pizza or Pasta
Drink: Coffee or lemonade
Movie: Finding Dory
Actor/Actress: Ryan Reynolds or Liam Hemsworth
Restaurant: El Zarape Mexican Restaurant
Vacation Spot: Los Angeles or Hollywood
Place in Duluth: Canal Park or Enger Tower
Mobile App: Snapchat
Website: Netflix
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PERSONALLY SPEAKING
Why I Chose UMD: I chose UMD because I fell in love with scenery, everything you could do outside of school, the coaches and team. UMD just seemed like the right fit and some place that I would be comfortable with being so far away from home.
First Played Competitive Softball: age nine
Game Day Ritual: Listening to music
Most Memorable Softball Moment: Being the only softball team at my high school since 1990 to win our conference and win our division playoff game.
I'm Looking Forward to Playing: Minnesota State, Mankato
Why I Wear No. 26: Even though this is not the number I have been my whole life, sometimes it is good to get a new start. It does not define who I am as a player, I will always play for my grandma and grandpa because I know they would do everything they could to still be here watching me play college ball.
Best Opposing Player I've Ever Faced Thus Far: Sara Groenewegen (Minnesota), Taryn Atlee (Rugters), or Miranda Miles (Texas A&M)
Biggest Strength: Being patient and confident in what I am doing.
Biggest Weakness: I am too quiet and need to speak up more.
Pet Peeve: Abusing animals or other people and chewing with your mouth open.
Biggest Fear: Heights or disappointing my parents.
My First Job (Age): I have never had a job.
Nickname (if applicable): Bree Money
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Jenny Finch or Monica Abbott
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I was born in Texas and I was a premature baby.
Biggest Accomplishment: Being able to say that I am a college athlete and that I will be one of very few that have graduated college from my family.
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I would try to be more outgoing and talk more.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My phone
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Basketball or ice skating
The Best Thing About College Softball: Being able to go to school and travel while playing the sport I love.
Influences On My Athletic Career: My parents and past coaches.
Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Never give up on your dreams even if people say you are not capable of reaching them. Always give 100% at practice and games or you will never be able to see what you are capable of accomplishing.
Post UMD Plans: Once I graduate I plan to attend physical therapy. |
