College Softball: Huskies ink Katie Erickson of Elk River to 2011 roster

St. Cloud State University’s head softball coach Paula U’Ren is pleased to announce the signing of Katie Erickson (Elk River) to a National Letter of Intent and Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tender to attend St. Cloud State in the fall of 2010 and play softball for the Huskies.

“Katie (Erickson) is an exceptional athlete and had an outstanding prep career in multiple sports at Elk River High School,” said SCSU’s head softball coach Paula U’Ren. “We look for Katie to put on a Husky softball uniform and bring her same athletic talents and experienced success to St. Cloud State throughout the next four years.”

Katie Erickson hails from Elk River, Minn., where she was a four-sport athlete for the Elk River High School Elks. A three-year letterwinner in softball, Erickson helped lead the Elks to the 2009 Minnesota State Softball Championship during her junior stint. The team captain is a two-time All-Conference player and in 2010, she landed herself on the All-Section squad and All-State Second Team. Erickson also received her school’s Exemplary Leadership in Athletics award. This past year she was named the Elk River Star News Athlete of the Week in December of 2009.

“Playing under a former Husky softball standout, Stacey (Schoenrock) Sheetz, Katie has had a great softball career, including a 2009 state title to her resume,” said U’Ren. “We look for her to bring immediate depth to our infield play and team. We are excited about having Katie and her family join our program next season!”

The standout athlete for Elk River finished her stellar softball career with a .363 batting average, 57 runs, 89 hits, 15 doubles, nine triples, two homeruns and 43 runs batted in.

Erickson also excelled in hockey, lettering five times for ERHS. She holds the school record for most goals by a defenseman. She ranks 10th on the all-time scoring list at Elk River High after leading her team to the 2008 and 2009 Minnesota State Hockey Tournament. Erickson is a two-time All-State Honorable Mention and All-Conference choice. The team captain was voted her team’s Most Dedicated Player in 2010 and she participated in the U17 National Development Hockey Camp in 2009.

The multi-sport athlete also played tennis three years and lettered her senior year, stamping her ticket to the state tournament in 2009. As an eighth grader in 2005-06, she tied for most goals on the lacrosse team.

For four straight years, Erickson earned the Academic Achievement Award at Elk River High and she landed herself on the A Honor Roll her junior and senior years.

The daughter of Keith and Denise Erickson, Katie plans to pursue a degree in elementary education at St. Cloud State.

Courtesy: St. Cloud State University