Softball

Like most other sports at DSU, the softball program has gone through its ups and downs.

Off to an average start in 1965, the Trojans finished the year with a 8-3 record; within a couple years, the players begin to work together to finish the 1968 season with a 10-7 record, their best season ever.¹⁰  In 1977 their record was 17-9; and in 1980, their record was 11-14, but it wasn't until 1981 when the softball program started dominating.  With the help of Coach Judy Dittman, Dakota State was #1 in the conference standings with a 20-3 record, the best in DSU history.  They continued their legacy in 1982 and 1983 with records of 20-5 and 9-5, still #1 in the conference standings.¹¹

To the Trojan's dismay, the DSU Softball program was dropped in 1985 because of lack of opponents.¹¹ By 1989, the program was reinstated, but the Trojans had to start from scratch all over again.  The softball team has been striving ever since to regain their high name.  In 1998, Coach Marc Bergan was SDIC Coach of the Year, and helped the softball team come in 3rd in the South Dakota Iowa Conference with a 7-9 record.¹²  It wasn't until 2001-2002 when coach Susan Punzo lifted the team by giving the Trojans a second chance for a winning season.  However, coach Punzo was offered a job elsewhere, and to further her career, she accepted this job.  So, in 2003, Mikki Cochrane was hired as the head softball coach.  Her first year as coach was a good season; 10 returnees definitely helped the team this year.  However, Coach Mikki had a lot of recruiting to do since she only had 3 returnees in 2004. 

Thus far, the DSU Softball team has gone 8-7 with 1 tie, beating the second rated team in the conference, giving this program hope to becoming the best.¹³

Dakota State University • All rights Reserved
Completed by Spring 2004 Class of English 401
Last updated Spring 2004