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.
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.
A five-tool player, Manzke is also on the short list of PSC’s all-time softball greats.
In two seasons patrolling center field in Chicago Heights, Manzke compiled a career batting average of .369 with eight home runs and 63 RBI.
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.
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.
For her outstanding second season of collegiate softball, Manzke was named PSC’s team MVP.
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.
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.
