Tournament Primer: Everything to Know About THE Spring Games

The When

February 10-12, Leesburg, Florida

The What

Perhaps not quite the field they brought to Leesburg last year, but THE Spring Games still brought in some big dogs for 2023. Michigan and Minnesota headline the group, two Big 10 teams returning to the site of the conference Bubble from 2021, while Western Kentucky begins their pursuit of a Conference USA title also in the Sunshine State.

This is the first edition of a weeks-long endeavor that THE Spring Games put on every year, encompassing multiple divisions and levels.

The Who

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Western Kentucky
• Marshall
• Butler
• Portland State
• Colgate

A Blurb

It’s a smaller field to open THE Spring Games this season, but not one lacking in star power; two NCAA tournament teams, a third team who was barely on the outside looking in on the postseason last year, and even another team that is bound and determined to make some noise in a brand new conference. Plenty of talent will be in Leesburg this weekend, even with a smaller group of teams.

A Hidden Gem

Katie Gardner, Western Kentucky – It’s Gardner’s pitching staff to lead this year, as she steps into the role of sole ace following the graduation of Shelby Nunn. Gardner almost took a backseat to Nunn at times last season; though both were effective, Nunn got the ball more in big games or against top-shelf opponents. This year, that ball likely belongs to Gardner in those moments. The opening trip to Leesburg gives her the chance to put together some solid early numbers against some quality opponents right from the start of the year.

A Breakout Star

Lauren Derkowski, Michigan –  Derkowski was always in position to be the next great Michigan pitcher – though maybe the plan wasn’t supposed to go exactly like it has. Following an offseason full of turnover, she and Jessica LeBeau are at the helm of the Wolverine bullpen and leading the program’s pitching staff. Bonnie Tholl has said she believes it’s time for Derkowski to shine and the young hurler will certainly have opportunities to do just that. The opening week slate gives her an opportunity to face some quality opposition without feeling completely being thrown into the fire right from the jump.

A Team to Watch

Marshall – The Thundering Herd are that team in a new conference, having moved from Conference USA to the Sun Belt this summer. The Herd boast a solid core of returning talent, headlined by pitcher Sydney Nester and slugger Autumn Owen, though they also lost a tremendously powerful group to graduation and the transfer portal. The Herd are one of those program always in contention, no matter their league, and that should continue in C-USA play – but first, weekends like this are important for the club, to get started on the right foot. Nester is the reigning CUSA Pitcher of the Year, an award she can’t replicate this year, but she can certainly put her name in the hat for the same award in the new league.

A Storyline

Michigan and Minnesota, both former Women’s College World Series teams, enter 2023 in interesting positions. The Wolverines lost a lot of talent to transfers and graduation after last season, while Minnesota has backslidden some since their 2019 WCWS appearance. Both programs need a hearty start to their respective seasons, and both have the opportunity to pick up some quality wins while they’re in the Sunshine State to kick off their years.

Marquee Matchups

Minnesota vs. Western Kentucky, Thursday, 11 am ET
Western Kentucky vs. Michigan, Friday, 11 am ET
Butler vs. Marshall, Friday, 11 am ET

Players to Watch

Sydney Nester, Marshall – After transferring in from NC State, Nester made an impact at Marshall, earning her way to the conference Pitcher of the Year award. Nester’s stats included a 2.36 ERA and 294 strikeouts in 228 innings of work. She’s incredibly effective, even with a large workload, and she’s the Herd’s workhorse in the circle in the old-school mold.

Autumn Pease, Minnesota – During the conference-only season in 2021, Pease was solid in the circle and earned all-region honors, but she regressed alongside really her whole team last year. She posted 11 wins and led the team with a 4.17 ERA a year ago, with 157 strikeouts to her credit, but she was not the dominant threat she had shown signs of being in ’21.  That’s the form she needs to return to to truly help her club.

Paetynn Lopez, Portland State – A reigning first-team all-conference selection, Lopez batted .270 a year ago and finished second on her team with eight home runs. She proved herself to be a solid offensive threat in her true sophomore season and was also a rock defensively.

Sydney Cammon, Butler – A transfer from Eastern Illinois, Cammon got some action in her first three seasons at EIU but missed the 2022 campaign with an injury. Her career wokload was never super-loaded, but her experience as a graduate transfer should be a difference maker. The Bulldogs also have a virtual new-look bullpen, with just one returner who saw action in 2022. Cammon should slot right into a hearty workload.