Arguably the greatest center fielder in Prairie State College softball history, Kassee (Johnson) Manzke returned to her alma mater in 2018 and joined head coach Frank Wilkins’ staff.
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Manzke, who was an NJCAA All-Region IV pick as well as a two-time All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference performer while at PSC, went on to finish her collegiate career with two outstanding seasons at Illinois Benedictine University.
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A five-tool player, Manzke is also on the short list of PSC’s all-time softball greats.
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In two seasons patrolling center field in Chicago Heights, Manzke compiled a career batting average of .369 with eight home runs and 63 RBI.Â
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After turning in a respectable freshman campaign at PSC in 2014 where she posted a .287 batting average with 19 RBI and four stolen bases, Manzke  erupted in 2015.
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Hammering her way to a .432 batting average to go along with eight home runs, 44 RBI and 10 stolen bases, Manzke also played a stellar centerfield as a sophomore, committing just five errors in 40 games.Â
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For her outstanding second season of collegiate softball, Manzke was named PSC’s team MVP.
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Manzke seamlessly transitioned to the four-year level as well, hitting .292 in 47 starts for the Eagles. A stellar student, she was also named a Northern Athletics Conference Scholar Athlete as a junior.
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Manzke closed out her college career by hitting .338 with a slugging percentage of .500, four home runs, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a perfect fielding percentage of 1.000.
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