07/15/2026
I have waited a few days since our last game of the season to post, as I was still processing the game and the season as a whole. All I can say is WOW! (Stick with me...this is going to be long)
I don't think many would be surprised, if you know me, to know that I'm a sports person through and through. I always have been. Softball runs deep in my soul. When I first started as the assistant 5 years ago, I didn't actually know what I was getting in to. Playing a sport is totally and utterly different than coaching a sport. I finally agreed to join on the coaching staff knowing my why. Why I wanted to be a part of it, why I wanted to coach and also knowing that my kids would probably never love the sport near as much as I did. But I was ok with that because I loved the sport and was not getting into it for them. I don't believe you should coach a sport solely because your child is out there, I believe that you do it because you love it and want to help others find the love, know their worth, have fun and make solid memories that will stick with them forever (and learn the ins and outs of the game). That is my "why".
This season brought many ups and downs, as any season does. If you don't know, the start of softball season runs right along side of the track season. I'm grateful that most of the girls do both, as track teaches discipline in so many ways, but man o man those first few weeks of the season are crazy. Getting everyone there for a practice before our first game was almost impossible! The girls pressed on and took every schedule change with grace.
This year we had 11 returners (two injured) so we brought along 8 out of the 8th grade class along for the ride which made new and exciting challenges every day. Historically softball has always had low numbers and we were excited to have the numbers and options! To know any single one of those 8th graders is to love them. They are excited to learn, they ask questions everyday and are there for every single person on the team. They are a GREAT bunch of humans. Their excitement makes me excited to watch them grow.
Our JV squad went 12-3. They never once questioned us when we moved them around to different positions, all they did was ask more questions (which I absolutely think is great...they WANT to learn). Congratulations to our JV squad for having a winning season! Here's a little run down on their stats as a team:
OBP: .525
OPS: .943
Hits: 82 (18 of those being extra base hits)
Runs: 109
RBI's: 74
Hit by pitches: 32 (Kylie was the queen of getting hit)
Stolen bases: 64
Innings pitched: 54
1087 pitches thrown
321 batters faced
47 strike outs
163 Put outs
2 double plays
Our Varsity played more ball this summer than we have for many years, ending the season 16-13. At the first of the season looking at the schedule it looked very daunting, but now you look back and ask where the time went? They ended the season in the 3rd round of Regionals against the #1 team in the state for 1A. After the game in the huddle, I could see it in all their eyes. They knew what just happened, they played a game with the #1 team in the state, they played a whole 7 innings, they scored on them and they NEVER once thought about rolling over and giving in. That, in my books, is phenomenal! They are HUNGRY for more, they can see the pages turning on the book and it's showing what the future looks like for Bedford Softball. They pointed out ALL the good things that happened this season and left the losses behind them, which we have been pushing them more and more to see. (Even writing this, I'm in tears with pride). This team is something else and we can't wait to see what they accomplish. Here's a fun little run down:
*2...yes I said 2 new Bedford Softball Records: Aniya Hardee with the most Homeruns in a season (6) and Charlotte Shafar with the most Double in a season (16).
* #2 in Bedford Softball history for most wins as a team in a season. History goes back to the late 50's. We were one away from #1 and I know we will get it next year. There were numerous season bests where the team were in the top 10 such as: season hits, runs scored, batting ave, doubles, triples etc.
*Tyla Hardee is tied for 3rd for runners thrown out stealing in class 1A!
*many girls got on the record books for all different kinds of reasons like: game bests in RBI's, walks, Triples, Doubles, Run scored, Hits etc.
If you have made it this far, I have some people I need to Thank. Our seniors, Macy Musich and Eliza Johnson. Thank you for always putting your best foot forward and leading these girls to where we are today. The community, thank you for all the clean up help when the field flooded not once but twice. Bedford Booster Club, thank you for the new Bedford banners on the back of the dugouts, the awesome concessions and always making sure the kids are taken care of. The crows nest crew, Lewis Schrodt, Shawn Bucher and Preston Lawson, thank you for stepping up to help. You guys were great! NWMSU for letting the girls come down and practice on your field when ours was still drying out from the flood. They made some great memories. My assistant coaches, Dale Bucher, Chris Lock and James Johnson. You guys are the best. All four of us are on the same page, when one of us doesn't see something the other one does. James thank you always for the all the extra that you bring to the game for the girls...they appreciate it greatly! Families, thank you for all the running around you had to do, thank you for all bus snacks and food, thank you for showing up day in and day out for these girls and thank you for raising some of the best humans I have met!
Wowziers, sorry this post got that long but it's so hard to show off this team in just a few words. I'm extremely proud of every single girl. I'm excited to see where next season takes us. We hardly got out of Audubon the other night and we were already discussing next year and getting excited!
See you in January when we start pitching and catching!
It's always a great day to be a BULLDOG!
*photo credit Jeff Storjohann out of Carroll*
