Confidence is Key to Bemidji Softball’s Best Start in 7 Years

Bemidji softball started the season 3-0 for the first time since 2018, and despite falling in their next two games, they rallied Thursday to win a tightly contested game with section foe Sauk Rapids-Rice and end the skid, bringing their record to 4-2.

According to the players, Thursday’s win, and the others before it, are a testament to the Lumberjacks’ work ethic this off-season, as well as a newfound confidence in themselves and their abilities on the diamond.

“We give a lot more constructive criticism to each other, I think, and are more willing to accept it and really take it into consideration into what we’re doing, rather than just disregarding what has been said before,” acknowledged senior center fielder Jordan Pemberton. “I think that that has helped a lot because it’s helped us improve and realize that we can trust each other and in our abilities.”

“We just want to win and we know we can,” added senior shortstop Sammy Nistler. “We know we can beat these teams that we’re beating. So, whether we’re down or up or we’re tied, we know that we can beat them. … We end up finishing it off because we know we can and we don’t want to strive for less.”

Even with the hot start, the Lumberjacks are still aware there is plenty to work on from now until section tournament time—namely, their batting and how they approach each plate appearance.

“Our batting has been good, but we need to make sure we’re swinging at pitches that are in our strike zone and not reaching,” said Nistler. “Last year it was 10 to 12 strikeouts a game. This year it’s been no more than three.”

“[It’s] mental,” said senior first baseman Maya Schmidt. “Closing our mind off before we swing at a ball because we think too much to where we overswing or we don’t look at the ball. I think [it’s] just keeping our mind at peace and just being confident at the batter’s box.”

They have a chance to continue that confidence on Saturday, April 26th at Cloquet.