Sports

DCB lands strong transfer

By Tyler Ohmann

08/13/2013

The women’s fastpitch softball program at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) has announced the signing of a record-setting player from Montana.
Heidi Riley, who played for Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa last year, has decided to transfer to DCB and play for the Ladyjacks this upcoming season.

Riley played two years of Class B softball at Shepard High School before transferring to Skyview High School in Billings, Mont. Skyview plays in Montana’s top high school division.

“We are all extremely pleased to have a player with Heidi’s offensive and defensive skills join our program,” stated coach Mike Getzloff. “Players of her caliber don’t come our way very often.”

While playing at Shepard, Riley was a second team All-conference player her freshman year and a first team All-Conference her sophomore year. She was voted Shepards MVP both seasons. In addition to being named All-Conference during her sophomore year, she was named All-State. She set school records with a batting average of .553, hits with 42 and triples with six.

“Heidi will give us something we haven’t had for a few years,” Getzloff stated. “I expect her to be a real leader for us both on and off the field. With her year of four-year college ball experience, I feel she will be someone the rest of our young ladies will be willing to follow.”

Riley transferred to Skyview her junior year where she set a single season school record with 16 doubles, was named defensive player of the year and was chosen as a member of the second team All-Conference squad.

“Heidi will solidify our defense and give our offense some speed at the top of our batting order, something we have lacked for a couple of years,” Getzloff stated.

In her senior year she was named first team All-Conference as well as being named to the All-State Team. Riley was also named defensive player of the year, set a state record with 44 doubles and led her team in batting average.

In her two years at Skyview Riley batted .446 with 44 doubles, 14 triples and six home runs.

Following her senior season, Riley was selected Montana softball Gatorade Player of the Year.

“I’m looking forward to this season with the returning players and the new recruits coming in this fall,” Getzloff stated. “We will have a good mix of freshmen and sophomores, six of each on our roster.”