North Park University Softball is closing in on Opening Day 2025. 11th year Head Coach Katie Anderson welcomes 10 starting players back from the 2024 team that helped the Vikings qualify for consecutive College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) playoff appearances for the first time in program history. With the addition of 10 newcomers, North Park is looking to make an impact in 2025.

Coach Anderson brings back both All-CCIW representatives from '24, two-time all-conference players, in two-way player Eden Baker (Jr./OF/P) and Kayla Lorenz (Jr./SS).

All-CCIW Returners

Baker earned all-conference honors in her freshman 2023 season and duplicated that effort in 2024. However, in her sophomore 2024 season, she also made significant contributions in the circle as a starting pitcher. She led the team in runs scored (16), triples (3), and stolen bases (8). Baker had 30 hits and drove in 6 runners while carrying a slash line of .275/.310/.330. As a pitcher, she led the team with a .218 BAA and gave up just seven extra-base hits, all doubles. Baker maintained a 3.68 ERA through 51.1 IP, tossing six complete games while leading the staff with 42 strikeouts. In just two seasons, her eight triples rank tied for seventh all-time at NPU.

Lorenz also earned All-CCIW nods in '23 and '24 as the Vikings' everyday shortstop. A true five-tool player, Lorenz led the Vikings in numerous categories on offense: 343 batting average, .549 slugging percentage, 35 hits, 2 homers, 56 total bases and 28 RBI. The middle of the order slugger struck out only 5 times in 102 at-bats, carrying a slash line of .343/.397/.549 with nine doubles and three triples. She had eight multi-hit games and as many games with multiple RBI, including four against Wisconsin Lutheran. Defensively, the middle infielder with plenty of range made 70 assists and 56 putouts last season.

Infield

The Vikings return a seasoned crew of starting infielders in Maddy Tan (Sr./2B), Salyssa Garcia (Jr./CIF) and Kathryn Keehn (Jr./CIF) and two-way player Maya Lafnear (Jr./1B/P).

Tan was one of three players to start in all 37 games last season, all of them at second base. She held a slash line of .235/.429./.338 with three doubles and a pair of triples. Tan added plenty of value on the bases, drawing 15 walks and team-leading eight hit-by-pitch to boast a nine-game reached base streak. At second base, she contributed 45 assists and 59 putouts.

Garcia split time at first base and the designated player position, adding a pair of appearances at third base in her 36 games starts. She had a slash line of .253/.364/.330 with seven doubles, 13 RBI and six runs scored. She also walked 15 times and had six multi-hit games. Garcia fielded .964 with three assists and 131 putouts last season.

Keehn hit just about everywhere in the 2024 batting order, and made 33 starts at third base to total 36 starts on the season. The two-sport athlete - a starting guard on the Women's Basketball team - slashed .250/.342/.370 with seven doubles, a triple, and home run in 100 at-bats. She added 15 runs scored, 10 RBI and three multi-hit games. Keehn totaled 60 infield assists and 47 putouts in '24.

Lafnear spent the bulk of her time in the circle in her sophomore 2024 season, but also made eight starts at first base and one as the designated player. As a pitcher, she won four games for the Vikings, tossing 10 complete games with a pair of shutouts. She did not allow a home run all season in her 85 innings pitched and struck out 21 batters. As a hitter, she batted .256 with a double, six runs scored, and drove in three.

Katie Patton (Jr./C) and Dora Cihocki (So./1B) are a pair of middle of the order bats that provide pop for the offense.

Patton joined Tan as one of two returning players to start in all 37 games last season, calling the game behind the plate as NPU's everyday starting catcher. She held a slash line of .261/.303/.446 and tied for the team lead with nine doubles and two home runs, adding a team second-best 13 RBI. She caught three runners attempting to steal and tied for the team lead with six multi-hit games.

Cihocki was the only freshman on last year's team to receive significant at bats, making 10 starts for the Vikings. Splitting time at first base and as the designated player, she hit .220/.291/.300 in 50 at-bats with a double, home run, and eight RBI. Cihocki fielded .968 with 60 putouts at first.

Outfield

Taking a closer look at the outfield, North Park Softball will miss the leadership and defensive prowess of Isa Santos but, in addition to Baker, they return a pair of impactful starters in juniors Kayla Sapolu and Sydney Snyder.

Sapolu had a quality season at the plate hampered by injury but proved to post some of the team's best numbers in her 25 starts. Paroling in center field 23 times, Sapolu was second on the team in batting average (.322) and slugging percentage (.475). In just 59 at-bats, she had five doubles, two triples, and scored 14 times. She had an assist and fielded .956 in the outfield.

Snyder started in left field 20 times in her 27 appearances throughout 2024. She held a slash line of .277/.294/.369 with three doubles and a home run in 65 at-bats. Snyder also drove in nine runners, scored five times, and stole a base. 

CCIW Coaches' Poll

The Preseason CCIW Coaches' Poll picked North Park to finish six of the nine league teams, as Illinois Wesleyan earned eight (the maximum) first-place votes.

A Month Away from Opening Day

North Park Softball opens its season in familiar fashion, heading to central Florida for the Dot Richardson Spring Games over North Park's spring break. The Vikings will face Westminster College (PA) on March 9 at 11:15 AM ET before playing Gettysburg College later that afternoon at 2:00 PM ET.