The Anoka-Ramsey Community College Softball team is preparing for their first games of the season, a double-header against Dakota County Technical College scheduled for March 7th at 9:30AM and 11:30AM at the Rosemount Irish Dome in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Reigning MCAC South Division Coach of the Year Dave Alto has been working hard to ensure his players are ready to hit the ground running this season. Alto, when asked about how practice has been going, said “Practice has been going very well. These young women have been working extremely hard, and getting better every day. I am super excited to see what the season holds”. That should bode well for the Golden Rams, as they will face a tough test to open the season in Dakota County Technical College. The Blue Knights finished last season with a record of 24-6, out-scoring their opponents by 103 runs over 30 games.

While it will be tough competition on Monday for the Golden Rams, they themselves boasted an impressive 17-11 record last season while scoring 213 runs. Anoka-Ramsey has also returned many of their key players from last season, including star player Sunny Strait, who is back for her 3rd year with the Golden Rams. Strait was named player of the year in the MCAC after earning a league high 14 wins while striking out 121 batters while leading the MCAC in home runs and RBIs. Other notable players returning this year include Emma Bright, who was named MCAC All-South Division 1st team, while leading the conference in hitting percentage with a .638 batting average. McKenna Packard is also back after being named to the All-South Division 1st team, while hitting .443 last season. Madison Segler was named to the All-South Division 2nd team while hitting .410, and she also returns.

DCTC will undoubtedly be a tough test for the Golden Rams to start the season, but a talented pool of new freshman should help counter this offensive powerhouse. The Golden Rams freshman class includes Molly Gross, Sara Cocchiarella, Kelsey Henninger, Lyla Galli, and Hailey Milliman.

After the season-opening double header against Dakota County Technical College, the Golden Rams will set their sights on Florida, where they will play eleven games over a six-day period between March 10-15.