Pierce County may not be home to America’s largest cities, but the small towns have produced a long list of collegiate softball players. Just a year after dominating for Ellsworth, Southwest Minnesota State freshman Aliza Acker is leading the Mustangs in batting average (.351), slugging percentage (.506), doubles (12) and home runs (4) over 48 games played. SMSU is 29-23, and the first baseman is a huge reason why.

“It was hard at first, but we just have a great team of girls, and they’re all so welcoming, especially the upperclassmen,” Acker said. “They just made the transition a lot easier, especially with school and feeling welcomed on the team and getting used to harder practices.”

Acker is no stranger to the spotlight, batting .423 with 21 extra-base hits and pitching dominantly with a 2.27 earned run average during her senior year at Ellsworth. She was named to the first team All-Middle Border Conference.

Acker’s main goal was to seamlessly transition to the college level, showing her coaches and teammates what she can do, and she did just that.

“It’s all obviously opportunity from my coaches,” Acker said. “The girls around me push me to be the player I am and just keep working to get better every day. We all give each other constructive criticism.”

Acker said it is motivating to play in Pierce County. The towns have great fans, there are good rivalries and there are opportunities to compete against tough teams from the Twin Cities and to be trained by coaches from the city.

“Having those rivalries that are so special to your town and the town shows up for you for those games, has made all of us better players,” Acker said.

She recalled playing tough games against Prescott back in the day, battling it out with Leah French, who now catches at Concordia University.

“Have as much fun as you can and really take those extra lessons, and try to go play club ball if you can,” Acker said. “Just stay connected with your hometown friends and build your bond with the girls you’ve been friends with your whole life but then also go try to make new friends.”

Acker both played club ball and competed with Ellsworth traveling ball teams, making for a perfect concoction to improve.

“The Ellsworth girls just need to stay driven, being from such a small town,” Acker said. “They just can’t lose motivation.”

Overall, Acker has had a blast along the way as they have picked up some big wins over solid teams. Her off-the-field friendships have made the transition significantly easier.

“There’s so much more to college than the sport that you’re playing. School has come a lot easier with making friends,” Acker said.

The Mustangs are approaching the postseason, with the NSIC conference tournament scheduled for May 6-9.