Minnesota State University-Mankato Women's Softball

Meyer has occupied the third-base coaching box at Minnesota State. Thats a span of 1,739 games, 1,094 victories, 26 All-Americans, 94 All-Conference (NCC & NSIC) performers and 130 Academic All-Conference recipients. During that time, Minnesota State has won three North Central Conference titles (1987, 1989, 2007) and four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), made 13 trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) and a pair of trips to the NCAA Championships (1987 and 2011). Those are not just numbers of a mere coach, those are marks that some would say, coaching legends are made of. In 2013, Meyer was selected as one of four inductees to the National Faspitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame and her induction video is available HERE . Her 1,094 wins rank third all-time in NCAA Division II history. The 2016 season saw the Mavericks claim their fourth NSIC Championship in the last five seasons as they finished the year with a 45-17 record, including a 23-6 NSIC record. Minnesota State also made its 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Junior pitcher Coley Ries would go to break the MSU career strikeout record at MSU, en route to claiming All-American honors from both the NFCA and D2CCA. Ries, who was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Year in 2016, was joined by freshman McKenzie Paap, who was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year after leading MSU with a.433 batting average. Paap also led the team in hits with 88 and runs scored with 48. The 2015 season saw a young Maverick squad finish its season with a 38-23 record as it finished third in the NSIC with a 20-10 league record. On the season, several players made their marks in the MSU record book, including Tatum Klein who set records on the base paths as she established a single-season record of 49 stolen bases which led the NSIC and ranked 12th in all of DII. Klein also became MSUs all-time leader in stolen bases with 76.   Coley Ries and Libby Bemis each made their presence felt in the circle in 2015 as they combined for three no-hitters. Bemis notched the first no-hitter of the season as she struck out eight batters in six innings against Merrimack. Ries would follow with a pair of no-hitters on back-to-back games against Northern State and MSU Moorhead. Ries would set a new MSU single-season record of 297 strikeouts as well. The 2014 season marked the third straight season in which the Mavericks claimed an NSIC Championship as they finished the season with a 43-13 record, including a league-best 25-3 record in conference play. Meyer added another milestone to her already storied career at Minnesota State as she recorded her 1,000th career victory April, 13 when the Mavericks defeated Minot State 8-5. The Mavericks would go on to make their 12th trip to the NCAA Tournament, including the second straight season in which MSU was selected to host the NCAA Sub Region Tournament. Lindsey Erickson was named an NFCA and Daktronics All-American, while Samantha Holien received NFCA All-American hnors. The 2013 season saw more of the same from the Mavericks as they rolled to a 40-12 overall record and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the 11th time, and seventh straight season. In 2012 Minnesota State played to a 49-10 record and hosted the NCAA Sub-Region tournament for the second time in as many years. Meyers string of All-Americans continued in 2012 as catcher Lindsay Erickson was tabbed an All-American by Daktronics and the NFCA. The 2011 campaign was arguably one of Meyers greatest at Minnesota State as the Mavericks finished 54-16 and tied for fifth at the national championships. The Mavericks established several team records a year ago, including games played (70), wins (54), at bats (1,874), runs (370), batting average (.320), hits (600), doubles (103), runs batted in (336), stolen bases (108), total bases (900) and tied the school record for home runs (57). Individually, several Mavericks earned accolades as well as pitcher Kendra Huettl was named the at the national championships for boasting the best grade point average at the event (3.99 in nursing) and designated player/catcher Lindsay Erickson was tabbed an by both Daktronics and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Meyer registered her 900 th career victory with a 12-0 win at Bemidji State on March 25, 2012. An eight-time league coach of the year and three-time , Meyer and her staff were named the NFCA in 2011. A noted clinician, the Storm Lake, Iowa, native instructed the Fifth Annual European Baseball/Softball Clinic in Italy in 1989. She has also served on several NCAA Division II Softball Committees, including the Midwest Region Advisory Committee, the Midwest Region All-American Committee and the NCAA Womens Softball Rules Committee. She has also served a stint as the Division II representative to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Last season, Meyer wrapped up a four-year stint on the NCAA Division II Softball Committee. Academic success has always been an important component under Meyer as well. During her time at MSU, shes seen six teams finish with a grade point average in the top-five of Division II, including her 1996 squad, which had the best GPA in Division II with a 3.31. Additionally, 100 Mavericks have earned honors to go on top of the aforementioned 130 that have earned academic all-conference. A 1982 graduate of Upper Iowa, Meyer lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball in college, and in the fall of 2001, was inducted into the UIU Athletics Hall of Fame. She began her coaching career as a volleyball and softball graduate assistant at MSU, earning her masters degree in physical education from MSU in 1985. In addition to her current duties as a softball coach, Meyer has also taught in the Human Performance Department and serves as Minnesota States Senior Womens Administrator. To view a list of all the accolades won by players coached by Meyer, click HERE Meyer Year-By-Year Lori Meyer Head Coach, Softball For the past 32 years, Lori Meyer has occupied the third-base coaching box at Minnesota State. Thats a span of 1,739 games, 1,094 victories, 26 All-Americans, 94 All-Conference (NCC & NSIC) performers and 130 Academic All-Conference recipients. During that time, Minnesota State has won three North Central Conference titles (1987, 1989, 2007) and four Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference titles (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016), made 13 trips to the NCAA Division II National Tournament (1987, 1989, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016) and a pair of trips to the NCAA Championships (1987 and 2011). Those are not just numbers of a mere coach, those are marks that some would say, coaching legends are made of. In 2013, Meyer was selected as one of four inductees to the National Faspitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame and her induction video is available HERE . Her 1,094 wins rank third all-time in NCAA Division II history. The 2016 season saw the Mavericks claim their fourth NSIC Championship in the last five seasons as they finished the year with a 45-17 record, including a 23-6 NSIC record. Minnesota State also made its 13th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Junior pitcher Coley Ries would go to break the MSU career strikeout record at MSU, en route to claiming All-American honors from both the NFCA and D2CCA. Ries, who was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Year in 2016, was joined by freshman McKenzie Paap, who was named the NSIC Freshman of the Year after leading MSU with a.433 batting average. Paap also led the team in hits with 88 and runs scored with 48. The 2015 season saw a young Maverick squad finish its season with a 38-23 record as it finished third in the NSIC with a 20-10 league record. On the season, several players made their marks in the MSU record book, including Tatum Klein who set records on the base paths as she established a single-season record of 49 stolen bases which led the NSIC and ranked 12th in all of DII. Klein also became MSUs all-time leader in stolen bases with 76.   Coley Ries and Libby Bemis each made their presence felt in the circle in 2015 as they combined for three no-hitters. Bemis notched the first no-hitter of the season as she struck out eight batters in six innings against Merrimack. Ries would follow with a pair of no-hitters on back-to-back games against Northern State and MSU Moorhead. Ries would set a new MSU single-season record of 297 strikeouts as well. The 2014 season marked the third straight season in which the Mavericks claimed an NSIC Championship as they finished the season with a 43-13 record, including a league-best 25-3 record in conference play. Meyer added another milestone to her already storied career at Minnesota State as she recorded her 1,000th career victory April, 13 when the Mavericks defeated Minot State 8-5. The Mavericks would go on to make their 12th trip to the NCAA Tournament, including the second straight season in which MSU was selected to host the NCAA Sub Region Tournament. Lindsey Erickson was named an NFCA and Daktronics All-American, while Samantha Holien received NFCA All-American hnors. The 2013 season saw more of the same from the Mavericks as they rolled to a 40-12 overall record and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the 11th time, and seventh straight season. In 2012 Minnesota State played to a 49-10 record and hosted the NCAA Sub-Region tournament for the second time in as many years. Meyers string of All-Americans continued in 2012 as catcher Lindsay Erickson was tabbed an All-American by Daktronics and the NFCA. The 2011 campaign was arguably one of Meyers greatest at Minnesota State as the Mavericks finished 54-16 and tied for fifth at the national championships. The Mavericks established several team records a year ago, including games played (70), wins (54), at bats (1,874), runs (370), batting average (.320), hits (600), doubles (103), runs batted in (336), stolen bases (108), total bases (900) and tied the school record for home runs (57). Individually, several Mavericks earned accolades as well as pitcher Kendra Huettl was named the at the national championships for boasting the best grade point average at the event (3.99 in nursing) and designated player/catcher Lindsay Erickson was tabbed an by both Daktronics and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Meyer registered her 900 th career victory with a 12-0 win at Bemidji State on March 25, 2012. An eight-time league coach of the year and three-time , Meyer and her staff were named the NFCA in 2011. A noted clinician, the Storm Lake, Iowa, native instructed the Fifth Annual European Baseball/Softball Clinic in Italy in 1989. She has also served on several NCAA Division II Softball Committees, including the Midwest Region Advisory Committee, the Midwest Region All-American Committee and the NCAA Womens Softball Rules Committee. She has also served a stint as the Division II representative to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Last season, Meyer wrapped up a four-year stint on the NCAA Division II Softball Committee. Academic success has always been an important component under Meyer as well. During her time at MSU, shes seen six teams finish with a grade point average in the top-five of Division II, including her 1996 squad, which had the best GPA in Division II with a 3.31. Additionally, 100 Mavericks have earned honors to go on top of the aforementioned 130 that have earned academic all-conference. A 1982 graduate of Upper Iowa, Meyer lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball in college, and in the fall of 2001, was inducted into the UIU Athletics Hall of Fame. She began her coaching career as a volleyball and softball graduate assistant at MSU, earning her masters degree in physical education from MSU in 1985. In addition to her current duties as a softball coach, Meyer has also taught in the Human Performance Department and serves as Minnesota States Senior Womens Administrator. To view a list of all the accolades won by players coached by Meyer, click HERE Meyer Year-By-Year

Kristle Wolcott was named the fifth head coach in Maverick softball history on May 16, 2025. Wolcott, a native of Clear Lake, Iowa, served as Minnesota State's Associate Head Coach since 2014 and has been with the Mavericks as a full-time staff member for 14 seasons.    Wolcott started her second stint at Minnesota State with a bang as the Mavericks went 54-16 and tied for fifth at the national championships. The Mavericks established several team records in 2011, including games played (70), wins (54), at bats (1,874), runs (370), batting average (.320), hits (600), doubles (103), runs batted in (336), stolen bases (108), total bases (900) and tied the school record for home runs (57). Individually, several Mavericks earned accolades as well as pitcher Kendra Huettl was named the Elite 88 Award Winner at the national championships for boasting the best grade point average at the event (3.99 in nursing) and designated player/catcher Lindsay Erickson was tabbed an All-American by both Daktronics and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. During the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Wolcott saw the Mavericks play host to the NCAA Sub Region Tournament as MSU put together a combined record of 83-25. Lindsay Erickson received NFCA and Daktronics All-American honors during the 2013 and 2014 seasons, while Samantha Holien was received NFCA All-American honors in 2014. The 2015 season Coley Ries and Tatum Klein claim All-Central Region honors from the Daktronics and the NFCA, respectively. The 2016 season saw the Mavericks claim their fourth NSIC Title as they advanced to the NCAA Tournament. MSU finished the 2016 season with a 45-17 record, while Coley Ries went on to claim All-American honors from the NFCA and D2CCA. The 2017 season proved to be special season for the Mavericks as they went on to win their first ever NCAA Championship. Minnesota State established several new season records including, 71 games played, 64 wins, 28 consecutive wins, 1,925 at bats, 438 runs scored, .342 batting average, 658 hits, 108 doubles, 376 runs batted in and 949 total bases. Along with their NCAA National Championship, the Mavericks also went on to claim NSIC regular season and tournament championships. Along with team accolades several Mavericks received NSIC honors for their efforts in 2017. Coley Ries was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Year and to the All-NSIC First Team for the third time in her career. Ries was joined by fellow All-NSIC First Team honorees in Jessica Meidl, McKenzie Paap and Amber Kral. Libby Bemis, Carly Esselman and Ashley Thell each received All-NSIC Second Team honors, while Paap and Cori Kennedy were named to the NSIC Gold Glove Team. The trio of Ries, Kral and Meidl each received All-Central Region honors from the NFCA and D2CCA, while Paap and Thell garnered All-Central Region honors from the D2CCA and the NFCA, respectively. Ries and Meidl would both go on to claim All-American honors for their efforts during the 2017 season. Ries, who received All-American First Team honors from the NFCA and D2CCA was also named the D2CCA Pitcher of the Year and the NFCA Player of the Year. Ries also excelled in the classroom as she became the fourth Maverick softball player to receive CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. Meidl was named to the NFCA All-American Second Team as well. Wolcott, along with head coach Lori Meyer, and graduate assistant Sammie Hildreth, were named the NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year for their efforts.  In 2018, the Mavericks once again advanced to the NCAA Tournament as they finished their season with a 35-19 record, including a 14-10 NSIC record. MSU fell to Southern Arkansas 9-1 on day one, but rebounded on day two with wins over Washburn (10-6) and Augustana (9-4). The Mavericks would eventually fall to Southern Arkansas by the score of 4-3 to end their season. Senior Jessica Meidl went on to receive All-American honor from both the NFCA and D2CCA. In total four Mavericks including Carly Esselman, Hannah McCarville, Jessica Meidl and McKenzie Paap received All-NSIC honors.  The 2019 season saw the Mavericks put together their 14th consecutive winning season as MSU finished with a 37-19 record, including a 20-10 NSIC record. The Mavericks finished fifth in the NSIC standings and advanced to the final day of the NSIC Tournament. Both Cori Kennedy and McKenzie Paap were named to the All-NSIC Second Team, while Amber Kral garnered CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. In 2020, the Mavericks held a 17-3 record before the remainder of the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. Seven Mavericks were named to the NSIC All-Academic Team, while Carly Esselman claimed CoSIDA Academic All-American Third Team honors. In 2021, Minnesota State assembled a 40-10 record as the Mavericks finished second in the NSIC standings with a 23-5 conference record. Six Mavericks claimed All-NSIC honors as MSU advanced to the NCAA Tournament after winning its fourth NSIC Tournament championship in team history. MSU went 2-2 at the NCAA Central Region Tournament as MSU advanced to the final day before being eliminated by Augustana. Mackeznie Ward would be named to the NFCA and D2CCA All-American First Teams. The 2022 season saw Minnesota State finish with a 48-14 record, to go along with another second place finish in the NSIC standings with a 26-4 record. MSU would receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The Mavericks would advance to the final day of the sub region tournament before being eliminated by the eventual NCAA Champions in Rogers State. Ward once again was named to the NFCA and D2CCA All-American First Teams for her efforts. The Mavericks finished the 2023 season with a 31-19 record as MSU took fourth place in the NSIC standings with a 20-10 conference record. Five Mavericks claimed All-NSIC honors. In 2024, Minnesota State put together a 39-16 record and four Mavericks earned All-NSIC honors. Wolcott again helped the Mavericks reach the NCAA Tournament in 2025, where they played three games in the Central Region Tournament in Edmond, Oklahoma and finished with a 39-20 overall record, including four all-conference selections.    During her time at Waldorf College – an NAIA program in Forest City Iowa, which is Wolcott’s alma mater, she guided the Warriors to a 48-36 record.  In 2009, Wolcott guided the Warriors to the NAIA national tournament and a Midwest Collegiate Conference crown. While at Minnesota State as a graduate assistant, Wolcott saw the Mavericks play to an 87-31 record including a pair of NCAA Central Region appearances.  During that time the Mavericks also won the North Central Conference (2007) and finished second in the league in 2008. Wolcott also played at Waldorf from 2001-04 where she was a part of two conference championship teams and was named an Academic All-American.  She was also an all-conference and all-region pick in 2001, 2002 and 2004.  Following her playing career at Waldorf, she served as a graduate assistant at Northern Colorado for a season. Wolcott lives in North Mankato with her wife Jaimee and son Tekaree.

Sophie Kannmacher joined the Maverick coaching staff in the fall of 2011. In her initial two seasons, she served as a graduate assistant coach while completing her Master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology (2011-13). Kannmacher has a lot of Maverick pride, as she was also a former Maverick swimmer (2007-2011) where she did her undergraduate degree in Psychology. She captained the team in the 2010-2011 season, earning team honors as the most dedicated and most inspirational team member. After serving as the assistant coach for nine seasons, Kannmacher was named the associate head coach in the summer of 2023. In her 14 seasons at Minnesota State, Kannmacher has assisted Head Coach Nathan Owens and the Mavericks to multiple top finishes in the NSISC and NSIC conferences including three NSIC Championships (2018, 2021 & 2022). She also helped coach the Mavericks to numerous NCAA Division II Championship meets, where the team has consistently placed top-25 among the best in the country. Kannmacher assisted the Mavericks to their highest NCAA DII Championship finish (13th) in 2016-17 season. In addition to coaching, Kannmacher oversees the Learn to Swim with the Mavericks youth swimming lesson program. This year-round program enrolls over 700 local children annually. During her first 14 seasons at Minnesota State as Assistant Swim/Dive Coach 17 - Individual NCAA All-Americans 18 - NCAA All-American Relays 47 - Conference Champions (NSIC & NSISC) 4 - NSIC Elite 18 Award Winners 2 - NSIC Swimmers of the Year Kannmacher, a native of St. Cloud, Minn & Omaha, NE, is married to Elijah Kannmacher. Together they have two daughters, Eleanor and Charlotte, who are the cutest little Mavericks fans!

Minnesota State softball coach Kristle Wolcott has announced that former Maverick All-American and 2017 AFCA National Player of the Year, Coley Ries Welter has joined her staff as an assistant coach.   "Partnering with Coley in this next chapter is a true privilege," Wolcott said. "Coley and I have a long history in this program and this community. We share a vision for creating an environment where student-athletes thrive in all areas of life. We won a national championship together in 2017 and are deeply rooted in the Mankato softball community. As great a player and coach as Coley has been, her character and leadership make her an even greater teammate in this work. As we step into this next chapter, I couldn't ask for a better partner."      Ries Welter has spent the past five years as the head coach at Gustavus Adolphus College (98-97). She led the Gusties to their best conference season since 2016 a year ago with a record of 17-5. Throughout her stint with the Gusties, she helped guide the pitching staff to a conference leading ERA in 2024, three conference tournament appearances, and 13 All-Conference selections highlighted by a Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner.   "First off, nothing can be said before thanking Coach Meyer for her endless years of support to women's athletics, the program and myself. I wouldn't be where I am today without her," said Ries Welter. "I am unbelievably excited to be back home. Being a Maverick and winning a National Championship in purple and gold was always a dream of mine, and now getting to help lead the program with one of my biggest mentors is beyond any dream I could've had. My goal is to give current and future Maverick softball players the fulfilling, impactful and life changing college experience that I was given."   During her time on the Maverick staff, MSU played to an 89-41 record.   Ries was a stellar performer during her time at Minnesota State and one of the most accomplished players in the history of the program. Over the course of her playing career from 2013-2017, Ries pitched to a 119-35 record. When her playing career concluded at Minnesota State, she held (and still holds) school records in wins (119), games started (146), appearances (178), innings pitched (999.1), and strikeouts (1,481). Additionally, she is second in saves (nine), complete games (104), shutouts (39) and fifth in earned run average (1.60).   In 2017, Ries anchored the Maverick pitching staff, going 41-3 in 43 starts, while appearing in 52 games and working 249.2 innings. She struck out 476 batters while limiting opponents to a .141 batting average, collected five saves and recorded 17 shutouts en route to the 2017 National Championship title.   As a senior, she set MSU's single season record in appearances (52), wins (41) and strikeouts (476). Over the course of her four-year career, Ries set the single season record for strikeouts three times (2015-297; 2016-434; and 2017-476).   During the Mavericks' run to the national title, Ries went 5-0 and threw all 35 innings in five consecutive days at the NCAA Championships, tallied a 1.20 ERA and posted 50 strikeouts. She was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player after lifting the trophy.   Her mantle is littered with accolades as she was named the 2017 NFCA National Player of the Year, a NFCA & D2CCCA First-Team All-American as well as a CoSIDA Academic All-American in 2017. In 2016 she was named a D2CCA Second-Team All-American and a Third-Team All-American by the NFCA.   Ries Welter played professionally with the Texas Charge, Chicago Bandits and Aussie Spirit after her collegiate playing career. She also played in the inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a professional softball league launched in 2025. Ries Welter earned her undergraduate degree in mass media with a minor in communication studies at Minnesota State. She also earned a master's degree in educational leadership.    Ries Welter and her husband Alex reside in North Mankato and have an infant daughter, Cameron.

Kylie Sullivan joins the Mavericks coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for the 2025 season. A standout outfielder, Kylie was a four-year starter for Minnesota State University, primarily patrolling center field. She graduated in 2024 with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Coaching and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Sport Management at MSU. During her playing career, Kylie made a significant impact on the field. In her senior season, she started all 55 games, batted .353, and led the team in stolen bases (17) and triples (6), while also recording 59 hits, 34 RBI, and 41 runs scored. She earned multiple NSIC All-Academic honors and was named to the All-NSIC Second Team in 2023. Over her career, she totaled 18 home runs, more than 60 stolen bases, and numerous multi-hit games. Known for her speed, versatility, and defensive leadership, Kylie also had several clutch postseason performances, including a game-winning home run and a highlight-reel diving catch to clinch the NSIC Tournament Championship. She finished her career with a .990 fielding percentage , reflecting her elite consistency and reliability in the outfield. As a coach, Kylie will be working directly with the outfielders, bringing her collegiate-level insight, communication skills, and competitive edge to the next generation of Mavericks. She’s excited to begin her coaching journey and continue making an impact on and off the field.

Hailey Stack completed her first season as head diving coach for Minnesota State in 2024-25. In her first season, Stack led diver Aspen Warnygora to a 7th place finish at the NCAA DII national championship. This marked the Mavericks first All-American diver since 2010.   A New Jersey native, Stack attended The College of New Jersey and was a diver for the TCNJ Lions. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology at TCNJ. Stack went on to earn her Master's degree in Criminal Justice from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. During her time in school, Stack volunteered at Jersey Diving Academy, coaching both AAU divers and lessons programs. Additionally, Stack has coached Varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse at her alma mater high school in New Jersey.