Lakeland University Athletics

To find a measure of the excellence of Sarah DeGoey’s Lakeland College softball career, look no further than the school's current all-time softball records.

Under her maiden name Sarah Lesinski, DeGoey is a big part of the Lakeland record books nearly 20 years after the end of her career. Clearly one of the top pitchers in the school’s softball history, she is a deserving entrant into the Lakeland Athletics Hall of Fame.

DeGoey still ranks as Lakeland’s all-time leader in earned run average with a career 1.48 mark. She still holds two of the top four single-season ERAs in school history, ranks third in school history among Muskie pitchers in wins (44), and is fourth in innings pitched (311 1/3).

Born in Park Falls, Wis., and a native of Almond, DeGoey came to Lakeland from Almond-Bancroft High School in central Wisconsin. She considered Lakeland and UW-Green Bay and visited both schools, but decided to join then-coach Jane Bouche’s Muskie softball team

“When we went for the visit to Lakeland I knew it was the school for me due to the small community-like environment,” she said. “I also met with Coach Bouche, and it just seemed like they had a great athletic program.”

As a Muskie, she had a terrific career as both a pitcher and hitter. Along with her performance in the circle as a pitcher, DeGoey hit better than .400 in 1993 and 1994. As a senior, she led the team in batting average, hits, stolen bases, doubles and triples.

DeGoey was named first-team All-Lake Michigan Conference all four years of her career. She also was a three-time NAIA All-District 14 selection.

The individual honors came along with team accolades. The Muskies won Lake Michigan Conference titles three times in her four years, and twice won NAIA District 14 tournament titles, including in 1993 for the first time in school history.

The teams DeGoey played on finished with an 86-22 record over four years. Lakeland was a power in the Lake Michigan Conference, and Lesinski was part of a talented cast of performers.

“It was a great experience to play with such good athletes,” DeGoey said. “All the hard work paid off with us winning several championships. A lot of team work and determination went into the success we shared.”

In addition to softball, DeGoey played basketball her first two years at Lakeland. A starter from her freshman year, she was an all-around threat, with totals of 303 points (6.6 points per game), 103 rebounds, 80 assists and 74 steals over two years. DeGoey was an excellent three-point shooter, making 41.8 percent of her three-point attempts. She eventually decided to focus on one sport after realizing that her passion was softball.


DeGoey is married to Joe DeGoey, and the couple lives in Menasha with her stepdaughters, Kristie and Brooke. She is a district sales representative for McKee Foods Corporation, a company best known as the maker of Little Debbie snacks.

“It is quite an honor to be selected for the Hall of Fame,” DeGoey said, “and to be included with the best athletes that have attended Lakeland College.”