The 2024 BGMR Gator Softball Team suffered a pair of heart breaking losses in last seasons section championship game. The 2025 Gators are hoping that they can play their best at the end of the season and settle some unfinished business with a section championship. The Gators however are well aware that Section 8A possess several talented teams and winning a Section 8A Championship will require hard work, focus and dedication on the Gators part.
BGMR returns seven of the nine starters from last years team. BGMR will greatly miss the pitching of Sierra Westberg and Jordan Lee who had a breakout season offensively, defensively and the leadership she provided. The two graduated seniors will be tough to replace but BGMR’s experience, along with some younger players who have been waiting their turn to shine, should make for a competitive Gator team. Here is a position by position look at the Gators: Pitching - Westberg stepped up big time for the Gators last year and led the Gators to several wins. Replacing her will be no easy task but the Gators do have some options. Junior Kailey Hanson has shown that when on her game she can shut teams down. Becoming more consistent will be a key for Hanson. Senior Jaci Hanson has also shown potential and could be relied on heavily. Senior Kieran Nelson showed promise this summer and will be given a chance in practice to show what she can do. Freshmen Kate Harder and Sierra Landsrud both look solid but lack varsity experience. Consistency and self-confidence will be a key for both. The Gators have several other young pitchers who could step up and win a spot in the rotation. Their development will be the key to the future of the Gator program.
Catching – BGMR returns sophomore Sarah Pulk as their starting catcher. Pulk did a nice job last season but will need to continue to show improvement both offensively and defensively if she wants to solidify the catching position for the Gators. Nelson is also a solid catcher who blocks and frames the ball well. Developing arm strength will be essential if Nelson wants to challenge for the full-time catching spot. Freshman Lexie Dahl has a strong arm and could be thrown in at catcher but is raw and needs experience.
First Base – The Gators return senior Quinn Vacura at first base. Vacura was an all-state honorable mention last season and BGMR is hoping Vacura can continue with her development. She is a strong hitter and has improved a great deal defensively. Sophomore Jocelyn Waage could step in at first along with Dahl and Maelee Christianson who shows tremendous power at the plate.
Second Base - Senior, McKenzie Dahl returns and provides a lot of experience for the Gators at second base. Dahl is an outstanding athlete and the coaching staff is hopeful she can have a breakout year for the Gators. Harder has worked extremely hard and could play second base or a variety of other positions.
Shortstop – BGMR returns first team all-state player Teagan Landsrud. Landsrud should win the starting shortstop spot but becoming more dialed in will determine how good Landsrud can be. She will be relied on heavily to anchor the middle of the Gator offensive lineup. Sierra Landsrud is also a solid fielder and could push her older sister for playing time.
Third Base - Jaci Hanson had a solid year last year, but was a bit down offensively from her sophomore year. Hanson is a great fielder and pesky hitter. BGMR is looking for big things from Hanson as she has a lot of ability. Kailey Hanson is a great athlete and could play any spot on the field. She may be called upon to play third if Jaci is pitching. Kailey shows a lot of promise on offense and could be poised for a breakout season. Lexi Dahl could also see time at third as Dahl has shown flashes of power with her bat.
Outfield – Replacing Lee will be no easy task for the Gators as Lee had a solid all around season for the Gators. Several of the Gators mentioned above could see time in the outfield. Two players with varsity experience in the outfield are Quynn Washington and Jocelyn Waage. Washington has good speed and shown she can hit at the varsity level. Waage is a team favorite and had a real nice summer. Waage makes the “routine” play and again offensively showed great strides this summer. McKenzie VonEnde has looked good so far this spring and provides much needed speed in the Gator lineup. Ava Warne has also shown huge improvement and could fill in at any time.
So far this spring the Gators have demonstrated great enthusiasm in practice. There are a lot of position battles going on and the competition has been friendly but fierce. BGMR has many underclassmen, who if veteran players get hurt or don’t perform the way they are capable, could step in and contribute. BGMR is hoping for a great spring weather wise as they have a solid schedule lined up. As stated before Section 8A is up for grabs. If the Gators play the way they are capable they will be in the mix for a strong playoff run and one in which they hope will lead them to the state tournament in Mankato.
Strait Spilde looks to pass the ball in bounds in the 66-71 loss to Fertile Beltrami.
Brandon Schenkey hustles after a loose ball.
Northern Freeze center, Avynn Ryba, posts up in the paint.
Wyatt Klopp draws a foul on the Fertile Beltrami Falcons.
Alex Bray makes a reverse lay-up around the Falcon defense at NCTC.
Nick Lund steals the ball and brings it up court for the Northern Freeze.
Senior Isaak Anderson grabs the rebound for the Northern Freeze.
