THE Spring Games Division II Preview: What To Know

Some of the top teams and most decorated players in NCAA Division II college softball headline the field at the 2024 edition of THE Spring Games.

Feb 21, 2024 by Kyle Kensing

THE Spring Games Division II Preview: What To Know

NCAA Division II teams from across the country come together for THE Spring Games.

The 2024 edition of THE Spring Games welcomes leading contenders for the national championship in the coming season, including 2023 runner-up Grand Valley State. The Lakers headline a field rife with quality teams and boasting All-American players.

Get to know more about the Division II slate for THE Spring Games in 2024.

What Division II Softball Teams Are Playing In THE Spring Games?

American International College
Ashland
Bemidji State
Bentley
Bloomsburg
Caldwell
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Charleston
Clarion
College of Saint Rose
College of Staten Island
Concord
Concordia of St. Paul
Dominican (NY) College
D'Youville
Edinboro
Findlay
Glenville State
Goldey-Beacom
Grand Valley
Hillsdale
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
UIndianapolis
Lake Erie
Lewis
Lynn
Mary
McKendree
Millersville
Minnesota Crookston
Minnesota State Mankato
Missouri-St. Louis
Montana State University Billings
New Haven
Northern State
Notre Dame College (Ohio)
Pittsburgh Johnstown
Purdue University Northwest
Quincy
Saint Anselm
Saint Michaels
Seton Hill
Shepherd
Sioux Falls
Slippery Rock
Southern Connecticut State
Southern New Hampshire
Southwest Minnesota State
St. Thomas Aquinas College
Thomas More
Tiffin
Treveccca Nazarene
Upper Iowa
Walsh
Wayne State (Mich.)
Wayne State (Neb.)
West Virginia Wesleyan
Winona State

Teams To Watch

Grand Valley State

Last season's national runner-up went 48-8 in 2023 with a roster that featured one of the nation's best pitchers—Hannah Beatus, who had a 0.91 ERA and struck out 225 batters in 206 2/3 innings—and outstanding hitters in Lydia Golbe, Joanna Cirrincione and Kaitlin Lynch.

All are gone, but Grand Valley should once again be in contention in 2024 with key contributors like Kelsey Komorous, Hannah Hollister and MaryJane Goodman all back for the Lakers. GVSU also returns Ashley Platek, an excellent second starting pitcher in the rotation behind Beatus. Platek had a 2.01 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .196 average in 104 2/3 innings.

UIndy

UIndy went 53-10 in 2023 and dominated in the conference on the way to the NCAA Tournament. The Greyhounds advanced to the Super Regionals before falling to Grand Valley.

They're in the top 10 of the early-season national poll thanks to proven contributors like Jocelyn Calvin, Shelby Cook and Emily O'Connor all back. Lexy Rees and Sydnee Perry, two more standouts for UIndy a season ago, opened the 2024 campaign with two home runs each.

Players To Watch

Aleese Angelo, Millersville

Aleese Angelo has been a star for Millersville each of the previous three seasons. In 2023, Angelo earned All-American honors with a nation-leading 26 doubles, part of her astounding .822 slugging percentage.

Angelo hit 11 home runs and drove in 56 for the Marauders a season ago. She ranks among the nation's top returning hitters coming into 2024.

Joni Russell, Hillsdale

2023 All-American pitcher Joni Russell helped Hillsdale to the NCAA Tournament with a remarkable 0.76 ERA and 268 strikeouts over 192 1/3 innings pitched. With 160 strikeouts in 2022, Russell headed into this season with more than 400 for her college career.

Matchups To Watch

All times Eastern

Saturday, March 2

University of Charleston vs. Ashland

Sunday, March 3

Bemidji State vs. California University of Pennsylvania
Findlay vs. Grand Valley State

Monday, March 4

Upper Iowa vs. Glenville State

Saturday, March 9

Tiffin vs. Purdue University Northwest

Sunday, March 10

UIndianapolis vs. Wayne State (NE)

Monday, March 11

Bentley vs. Shepherd

Wednesday, March 13

Caldwell vs. McKendree

How To Watch THE Spring Games

Watch THE Spring Games Opening Main Event on FloSoftball and the FloSports app.

FloSoftball also will be streaming several NCAA Division I college softball tournaments, including the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic and the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.