The Raider softball team began their 2025 season last weekend at the Dordt Dome Tournament in Sioux Center and are off to an explosive start, winning all four of their opening weekend games. They appear set to prove their preseason ranking of eleventh in the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) rankings with their early success. They are the highest ranked Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) team in the NAIA.
On Friday, Jan. 31, Northwestern defeated the University of Sioux Falls (USF) 7-1 and Culver-Stockton 11-1. Highlights of the USF matchup included three runners brought in by Gwen Mikkelsen and Ellie Jacobson and Abby Flanagan each throwing three strikeouts. Against Culver-Stockton, Kate Kralik threw six strikeouts, Berkley Johannsen brought in two runners, and Gwen Mikkelsen was 4-for-4 while batting.
The following day, the Raiders continued their domination, beating York College 12-1 and later Dakota State 3-0. Against York, the Raiders brought in six runners in the final inning. Flanagan only allowed two hits for York in the five innings she pitched. Against Dakota State, Chloe Gallegos hit the first home run of the year in the second inning and Mikkelsen threw six strikeouts.
The Raiders hope to capitalize on their promising start and pick up where they left off in 2024, in which their 50 victories broke the school record for most wins in a season. They also took the GPAC tournament title. Over the past few seasons, the team has been steadily improving and now are contending for the top spots in the nation. This is the sixth season in a row they won the opening game and the fourth in a row the Raiders have won the first four games.
The Raiders will return to the American Bank Sports Complex in Sioux Center Friday, Feb. 7 to play Mount Mercy at 1 p.m. and MidAmerica Nazarene at 5 p.m. On Saturday, they will face off against Grand View and Saint Xavier.
