Assistants: Boyd Carlblom, Rilee Dawson, Mya Gordon
In her 10 seasons as Head Softball Coach at St. Scholastica, Walter has brought stability and a tradition of winning to the Saints program. Having won 20 or more games in eight of her 10 seasons and 30 or more games in five seasons the program is well on its way to becoming a force in NCAA Division III softball.
“What I love most about coaching at St. Scholastica are the players,” said Walter. “In my ten years here I have met some great student-athletes who have excelled both on the field and in the classroom and continue to excel beyond St. Scholastica.”
Under Walter, the Saints received their first national ranking in 2004 when they appeared in the NAIA poll and were ranked as high as No. 13. It took them just over a year to appear in the NCAA Division III poll where they peaked at No. 15 and ended the season ranked No. 21.
The Saints had won eight consecutive Upper Midwest Athletic Conference championships under Walter with a combined record of 67-3, before finishing third in 2008. They have reached either the NAIA or NCAA post season in six of her 10 seasons. During the 2004 season the Saints won the regional tournament, earning a bid to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time in school history. In 2005 the Saints were 34-7 overall in their first season of NCAA Division III play but failed to receive a bid to the post-season.
During the 2006 season the Saints earned their first NCAA post-season bid as the #5 seed at the Midwest Regional where they went 1-2. Their lone win was Walter’s 200th career victory. Walter became the quickest Saints coach to reach that milestone and is currently the winningest coach in Saints softball history with a .646 (275-151) winning percentage.
Walter has coached three All-Americans, including two-time first teamer Laura Heise (2004, 2006), second team honoree, Rilee Dawson (2007), and third team honoree Erica Kozacek (2006). Her players have earned 32 All-Region and 47 All-Conference first team honors, as well as seven conference player of the year awards. In 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2009 she was named UMAC Coach of the Year.
Walter graduated from Wadena High School where she was a two-time All-State softball player. Following high school, she went to Golden Valley Lutheran College in Minneapolis where she was a JUCO All-American catcher and then went on to be an All-Region catcher at Augustana (SD) College. She graduated from Augustana in 1986 with a degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Prior to St. Scholastica, Walter was the assistant softball coach for three years at Armstrong High School in Plymouth, Minn. From 1991 to 1997 she coached basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and cross-country along with teaching lower and middle school physical education at Breck School in Golden Valley, Minnesota. She also served as Head Softball Coach at Perham High School from 1989-91.
Walter continues to grow as an educator and coach. In December 2006, she earned Master Coach status from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). She also participated in the Women Coaches Academy, co-sponsored by the Winstar Foundation and the NCAA. Walter currently serves on the Midwest All-Region Selection Committee.
“I have the greatest job in the world. I get to be around young women who have the desire to become great softball players and along the way become great people. There are tons of frustrations and challenges, but in the end, the rewards, on the field and off, are so worth it.”
Boyd Carlblom, Assistant Coach
Third Season
Carlblom begins his third year on the Saints staff. Prior to coming to St. Scholastica he accumulated a wealth of experience at the high school and summer ball levels. Most recently he served as the assistant coach at Eveleth-Gilbert High School and also was the U18 coach for the Eveleth Bears.
A native of Comfrey, Minnesota, he moved to Cloquet in his teens and played a number of years on various men’s fastpitch teams. His responsibilities for the Saints are working with the hitters and coaching first base.
Carlblom lives in Eveleth, Minnesota and owns Range Reliable Insurance in Virginia, Minnesota.
Rilee Dawson, Assistant Coach
Third Season
Dawson begins her third year on the Saints staff after a successful four-year playing career. In her final season at CSS Dawson was named to the NFCA All-American Second Team. She was also the UMAC Player of the Year.
While at St. Scholastica Dawson started 100 games including 46 as a pitcher. She holds a career .349 batting average with 13 home runs and 91 RBIs, along with a 2.34 ERA, 34-14 win-loss record and 300 strike outs in 299 innings. During one three game stretch her senior season, Dawson hit six consecutive home runs, which is believed to be an NCAA record.
As a coach in the Saints program, Dawson works primarily with the pitchers. She is also the recruiting coordinator and assists with the Saints winter camps.
Dawson, an Eveleth native, graduated in the spring of 2008 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. She is currently working at St. Raphael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center.
