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LUTHER COLLEGE SOFTBALL TEAM SENIORS END A REMARKABLE FOUR-YEAR RUN

By Tom Bye, 05/12/13, 7:15AM CDT

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(Left to right): Kelsey Weindruch, Elisa Smith (MVSA), Head Coach Renae Hartl, Morgan Franklin, Shari Huber

Luther College seniors Shari Huber, Elisa Smith, Morgan Franklin and Kelsey Weindruch have wrapped-up a remarkable four-year run on the Norse softball team.

Huber, Smith and Franklin played in four NCAA Division III softball national tournaments, while Weindruch joined the Norse as a sophomore in 2011, after transferring from Muscatine Community College. 

They are the only players in Luther softball history to play in three or four consecutive National Softball Championships.  Prior to this current four-year streak, Luther advanced to the National Softball Championships in 1985, 1990 and 1991, under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Betty Hoff.
Current coach Renae Hartl has led the Norse to a record of 363-147 in the past 12 years, including a mark of 157-33 the last four years. 

Huber hit .391 this year for the Norse, with 7 doubles, 5 triples and 3 home runs.  Smith had a .351 batting average with 7 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs.  Franklin hit .331 with 6 doubles and 3 home runs.  Weindruch hit .313 with 9 doubles, 1 triple and 4 home runs.  All four played in each and every one of Luther's 44 games this year.