Missouri Southern State University Athletics

2019 - Appeared in 43 total games while starting in 42 of them at first base throughout her junior season … one of 12 Lions to land on the MIAA Academic Honor roll (3.7 GPA) … went 43-for-133 at the plate towards a batting average of .323 for fourth on the squad while leading the team home runs (5) to along with a tie for second in RBIs (25), and fourth in hits and doubles (7) as well … helped the squad to a fielding percentage of .966 for second overall in the MIAA while being tied for the least amount of errors committed at 45 by contributing a team-high 287 putouts and 11 assists to finish with a .990 personal fielding percentage … had two four-hit performances at Pittsburg State (3/9) and versus Southwest Baptist (4/3), combining for a 8-for-9 line from the plate with four RBIs and two runs scored between the two contests. 

2018 - Appeared in and started in 51 games at first base for the Lions as a sophomore...named a All-MIAA Honorable Mention recipient...one of 12 lions to land on the MIAA Academic Honor roll (3.66 GPA)...tied for seventh in the MIAA for doubles (15)...came out first on the squad in slugging percentage (.563), on-base percentage (.436), total bases (85), RBIs (33), walks (19), home runs (5), and doubles...second on the team in fielding percentage (.986), batting average (.364), and hits (55)...third in runs scored (27) and fourth in at-bats (151)...knocked in a season-best four RBIs, including a huge three-run shot in a win over Minnesota-Duluth (3/17)...also put together a 4-for-4 day from the plate (all doubles) towards three runs scored and two RBIs versus Lincoln (4/14).

2017 - Played and started in all 57 games in her rookie season...batted .284 (50-for-176), registering nine doubles and five home runs on the season...knocked in 36 RBIs for third on the team and scored 22 runs in her first season for the Lions...earned Louisville Slugger/NFCA D-II National Player of the Week and MIAA Athlete of the Week for her performance in a 11-7 victory over Illinois-Springfield as part of the UAM 8 State Classic...went on to set and tie a MIAA and MSSU school record by knocking in a record-breaking  10 RBIs and record-tying three home runs in the same game...tied for seventh in the MIAA with 10 sacrifice bunts (led team)...recorded 12 multi-hit games, while racking up a season-high of three hits in three wins against Ill. Springfield (Feb.18), Sioux Falls (Mar. 17), and Wayne St. (Mar. 18). 

Prior to Southern - Lutgen is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and played four years at first base, third base, and catcher for Park Hill South HS. The 5-4 HS senior earned first team All-Suburban Kansas City Red Conference honors her junior and senior seasons for the Panthers. Lutgen also earned first team All-District honors the past two seasons, and first team All-Region honors this past fall. Erika was the team defensive MVP in 2013, offensive MVP in 2014, and this season was the team all around MVP. In the classroom Erika earned All-State Academic honors in 2014.

Personal - Erika is the daughter of Ken and Christa Lutgen and plans to major in special education at Southern.