BSU Softball’s Stella Dolan Wraps Up Stellar Career

Over the weekend, the Bemidji State softball team dropped a pair of home doubleheaders, ending their season just shy of a second straight postseason appearance. But Saturday’s games also marked the end of a record-breaking career for left-handed pitcher Stella Dolan, who reflected on her time with the Beavers.

In softball, pitching is a huge key to team success.

“Pitching is probably the most important spot on the field,” stated BSU Softball Head Coach Jordan Petersen. “Obviously, we need hitters, we need people to back her up, but we talk about it as coaches all the time. If you have at least one pitcher that’s there, it helps you so much.”

For the past four years, that pitcher has been southpaw Stella Dolan. In that time, she’s developed into the Beavers’ ace.

“My first year I played more of a reliever role, and I remember talking to Coach P when she came in second year and she’s like, ‘So do you see yourself as a starter?’ And I was like, ‘No.’ And she’s like, ‘Well, you’re going to be one.'” said Dolan. “And I was kind of caught off guard.”

Despite the surprise, Dolan took that vote of confidence and ran with it, continuing to grow her game each year.

“Her freshman year, she only really had two pitches,” explained Petersen. “And as the years have gone on, she’s added more pitches to her arsenal.”

“I’m kind of known for my changeup, but as I’ve gotten older these past two years, everyone in the conference knows that’s coming,” Dolan said. “So I started throwing my curveball both on the inside part of the plate, the outside part of the plate. I developed my riseball a little bit more and then also added a screwball.”

Dolan has written her name all over the BSU record books, aided by the fact that she made more pitching appearances than anybody in program history. But she has changed the landscape of Beaver softball away from the diamond as well.

“I kind of told myself after that first year, you know, we didn’t have the best team chemistry and that kind of thing,” she explained. “So I made it a goal of like, I want to turn this program around on the field, off the field. So that was my goal. And looking back, I can wholeheartedly say that record-wise, yes, we did that team chemistry thing. We absolutely turn this around.”

Even with all the contributions she’s made to the program, Dolan will be remembered above all else for her approach to the game.

“She’s the hardest worker on the team, always willing to put in more effort and ask what she needs to do better,” stated Peterson.

“You know, when I was younger and things like that, work ethic is something that’s been beat into my head,” Dolan said. “I might not have always been the most skilled player, but I’ve always put in the work, and I think that’s what’s given me success.”

While Dolan’s days of toeing the rubber are over, she’s not done with the Beavs just yet. She plans to return next season as a pitching coach while pursuing her MBA.