BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Softball has earned the 12^th spot in this season's Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference Friday morning. Aubrey Aukerman and Danica Sarff were named the team's Preseason Player and Pitcher to Watch, respectively.
 
Last season, the Beavers finished the season in 13^th with a conference record of 8-20 and overall record of 21-31, an eight-win improvement from the previous season. Now in her fifth season with the Beavers, Head Coach Jordan Petersen spoke on some things she looks forward to with this team:
 
What excites me most about this year's team is the blend of new energy and continued growth within our program. We brought in a large freshman class that adds depth, competitiveness, and enthusiasm, while also being mindful that we have big shoes to fill from last season. Our returners have made significant strides both physically and mentally, and they've embraced greater responsibility within the team. That combination of hungry newcomers and more confident, experienced returners gives us a group that's eager to compete and continue raising the standard of our program.
 
A senior captain this season, second baseman Aubrey Aukerman was named the team's Preseason Player to Watch. Aukerman is a two-time NSIC Spring All-Academic Team of Excellence member and was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-American Scholar-Athlete last season. In her career, she has totaled 117 games played with 103 starts. Aukerman has taken 307 at bats with 43 runs, 84 hits (three doubles and two triples) and 36 runners batted in. With a .274 batting average, she holds a .296 slugging percentage and .306 on-base percentage. On defense, Aukerman has grabbed 201 putouts with 114 assists and just 14 errors, marking a .957 fielding percentage. Coach Petersen remarked about what Aukerman brings to the team in her final season:
 
Aubrey is the kind of student-athlete every program hopes to have leading its team. As a senior and team captain, she has earned the respect of her teammates through her consistency, work ethic, and the way she carries herself every day. She has truly grown into her role both on and off the field, setting the standard in practice, leading by example in competition, and being a steady, trusted presence in the locker room. Aubrey's leadership, accountability, and team-first mentality make her someone our team leans on.
 
Danica Sarff enters her junior season this spring after a strong athletic and academic season last year. She was named to the NSIC Spring All-Academic Team of Excellence, NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete Team and College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team. In the circle, Sarff marked a 4-9 record with 23 appearances and one complete game. She improved her ERA from her freshman season, moving from 7.23 to 5.23 with a career average of 6.15. In her career, Sarff has pitched 132 innings, allowing 143 hits, 139 runs and 116 earned runs. Of these hits, 26 have been doubles, seven triples and 17 home runs. Sarff has seen 671 batters and allows a batting average of .275. Last season she marked a perfect fielding percentage on defense with three putouts and eight assists. Coach Petersen commented on Sarff's high work ethic and dedication to the program:
 
Danica is a pitcher who sets the tone for our staff with her toughness and reliability. She's a true workhorse, self-driven, highly competitive, and someone who holds herself to an extremely high standard every time she steps in the circle. Danica is very team-oriented, putting the success of the group ahead of individual recognition, and her accountability and preparation make her a trusted presence for both her teammates and coaches.
 
The Beavers kick off their season in two weeks at the Kelly Laas Memorial Tournament, hosted by St. Cloud State University. BSU will start the season in a quad of non-conference games against conference opponents SCSU, twice, Concordia University, St. Paul and Southwest Minnesota State University. On Feb. 19 the team travels to Rosemont, Ill. For the Lewis University Dome Invitational for six games before heading to Shawnee, Kan. for six games at the Top Gun Midwest College Classic. BSU's annual trip to Florida over spring break will be different this year as the team has moved to The Space Coast Games in Melbourne, Fla, hosted at the USSSA Space Coast Complex, Mar. 6-11. Conference play begins against Augustana University on Mar. 21 in Bemidji, weather permitting. 
 
For more information on the Bemidji State Softball program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaversSB), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and like them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSB).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's and women's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).