With the non-conference season games coming to an end, the Hamline softball team gears up to prepare for the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) games in store for them.
The Hamline Pipers will finish the last of their season’s non-conference games coming up on Sunday, April 6, in a doubleheader against the Minnesota Morris Cougars before they fully shift their focus towards the remainder of the season filled with MIAC games.
“Our team has been working really hard in practice to prepare for our season. The MIAC will definitely look a little different this year compared to the previous years. Key players from other teams have now graduated and it will have a big impact this year,” senior infielder Jenna Rubbelke said.
Currently, the Pipers sit with a record of 9–9 after competing in their first MIAC games. Hamline took on the Bethel University Royals in their first MIAC double header on Friday, April 4. Unfortunately, the Royals beat the Pipers in both games, however, that does not stop their spirits from being high for the rest of the season.
“I am very optimistic. We have a lot of talent on our team this year with a lot of returning players and seniors and some talented first years, which will all help us reach our goals of having a winning record, making the playoffs, and winning the MIAC championship,” senior infielder Abbey Herbert said via email.
A notable difference in the team from past seasons is that most of the players have been playing with one another for one to three years. The softball team only added three first-years into the program this season.
“Since we are a lot older upperclassmen, I feel like we brought the freshmen in, the sophomores in. So we don’t treat them like we don’t treat them any different. We try to bring them in on everything, [which]t includes outside and at practice. We are a very, more close-knit team this year. Seniors have been playing a really big key role this year in outstanding leadership in making sure the younger players are included and comfortable because they are not just freshmen, they are a bigger part of this team,” junior outfielder Elena Martinez said.
One common goal the team has is being able to make the playoffs this season. Many of the players stated how hard they are working to be one of the six MIAC teams to secure a playoff position, in addition to personal goals.
“For the remainder of the season, I want to continue to get better and better each day and finish the season healthy and more successful than years past in both record and stats. I hope to have at least five home runs at the end of the season!” Herbert, who is well on her way to succeeding her personal goal as she currently leads her team with the most runners batted in (RBIs), doubles and runs, said..
Unlike most of the other Hamline sports teams this season, the softball team has many upperclassmen making up the roster. Having to say goodbye to the many graduating class of 2025 members this season, the Hamline softball team and Head Coach Jim Rubbelke have to plan ahead for the upcoming seasons and plan for how they can continue their success into future seasons.
“Recruiting is going well for us. We will bring in six to ten players for next season. We graduate several starters, so finding players that can compete right away is important,” coach Rubbelke said.