Bennington Badgers Open Class A Softball Era With Mixed Results in First Week

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A group of softball players posing together in their team uniforms with bright smiles, standing in front of a chain-link fence at a softball field.

The Bennington Badgers softball team made history this past week as the program competed in Class A for the first time, finishing the opening stretch 2-4 after six games against a challenging slate of metro-area opponents.

The Badgers launched their new classification on Friday, Aug. 21, at the Westview Invite with a statement win. They routed Bellevue West 12-2 in four innings, marking the first victory for any Bennington High School athletic program in Class A. Skylar Johnson earned the win in the circle with four innings of work, allowing two earned runs and striking out four. Offensively, freshman Aliya Molina delivered a grand slam among her contributions (1-for-3 with five RBIs), Natalie Thoendel went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored, and Brooklynn Fitch added a double, a walk, two runs, and an RBI.

Later that same day, Bennington dropped a tight 8-6 decision to host Westview. Taylor Redmond led the Badgers’ offense with two hits, while Addi Kapple (pictured below) worked four innings in the circle. The Badgers showed grit, with 18 players seeing action, but fell short against the Wolverines.

A softball pitcher in a striped uniform releases a yellow softball during a game, with a grassy field in the background.

On Saturday, Aug. 22, Bennington rebounded with a hard-fought 3-2 tournament win over Papillion-La Vista South. Johnson again pitched effectively, throwing a complete-game gem (six innings, zero earned runs, five strikeouts). Molina continued her strong start at the plate with a key hit, two RBIs, and a home run in the low-scoring affair.

The midweek portion of the schedule proved tougher. On Monday, Aug. 24, the Badgers fell 3-2 at Bellevue East in another one-run contest. Johnson went the distance again (six innings, two earned runs, seven strikeouts), while Redmond contributed a hit and an RBI. The offense managed only four hits overall.

Tuesday’s home game against Gretna resulted in a 7-1 loss. The Dragons jumped out to an early lead and held Bennington to five hits. Allie Boever pitched three scoreless innings of relief (zero earned runs, two strikeouts), and Molina collected two hits.

A young female softball player in a striped uniform swings her bat to hit a yellow softball during a game, with spectators in the background.

The week closed Thursday, Aug. 27, with a 2-0 shutout loss at Marian. Johnson pitched well once more (six innings, two earned runs, seven strikeouts), and Redmond (pictured above) again provided offensive support with two hits, but the Badgers’ bats were limited to four hits against a strong Crusaders pitching performance.

Despite the overall 2-4 mark, the opening week highlighted promising individual performances across the roster. Skylar Johnson provided consistent pitching, Aliya Molina and Natalie Thoendel delivered early offensive sparks, Taylor Redmond produced steadily at the plate, and contributions from Brooklynn Fitch, Addi Kapple, and Allie Boever underscored the depth the Badgers are developing. As Bennington adjusts to the higher classification and deeper competition of Class A, the team will look to build on these efforts and the competitive showings in several close games as the season progresses.

Four female softball players standing with their backs to the camera, facing a flagpole with an American flag, in a grassy field with trees and houses in the background.
Three female softball players in a field preparing to catch a fly ball, with a blue and white backdrop featuring a badger mascot and a letter B.
A softball player in a striped uniform is sliding on the ground while attempting to catch a ball on the field.
A softball player in a striped uniform throws the ball while another player prepares to catch it. The background shows a blue fence and grass.
Two female softball players in blue and white uniforms are positioned in an outfield setting. One player is fielding a ball while the other is preparing for a catch, with a baseball diamond and a fenced area in the background.
A catcher in blue gear squats behind home plate as a batter in green swings at a pitch during a softball game.
A softball player in a blue and white striped uniform is catching a fly ball near a outfield fence that has 'SOFTBALL' written in large letters.
A female softball player in a striped jersey and blue pants crouches to catch a ball on the field.
A female softball player in a white and blue uniform crouches in a ready position on the field, while another player in a green uniform stands on base nearby.
A young female softball player in a striped uniform throws a ball during a game, with another player in the background watching.
A softball player in blue and white stretches to catch the ball at first base while an opposing player in green runs towards her.
A young female softball player in a white and blue uniform swings a bat at a softball during a game, with a catcher in the foreground and spectators in the background.
A female softball player sliding into a base during a game, wearing a striped uniform with blue accents.
A young female softball player in a white and blue uniform is bunting a ball on a dirt field during a game. In the background, another player is ready in a green uniform, and a coach is observing from the sidelines.
A young female softball player swinging a bat at a pitched ball on a dirt field, with a catcher in the foreground.
A young softball player in a blue and white striped uniform (#8) crosses home plate during a game, while an umpire and other players are in the background.
A softball team in a dugout, with players wearing blue and white uniforms, cheering and clapping for their teammates on the field.
A young female softball player in a white and blue uniform swings her bat at a yellow softball during a game.
Two female softball players in matching striped uniforms are on the field, with one player reaching for a yellow softball on the ground while the other approaches from behind.
A softball coach discusses strategy with a group of female players on the field during a game.
A softball player in a striped jersey and blue pants fields a ground ball on a sandy infield, while another player in a green uniform looks on.
A young female softball player throws a ball while positioned in the outfield, with an umpire in the foreground and other players watching in the background.
A softball player in a striped uniform and sunglasses is running towards a ball near the outfield fence.
A softball player in a striped uniform throws a ball during a game, while another player is positioned in the background.
A young female softball player swings her bat at a pitched softball during a game on a dirt field.
A young female softball player wearing a white and blue striped uniform swings a bat at a yellow softball during a game on a dirt field.
A softball player in a striped uniform prepares to pitch on a dirt field with a yellow softball in the air.
A softball player in a green uniform slides into second base while another player in a white and blue striped uniform prepares to catch the ball. An umpire watches the play unfold in the background.
A young female softball player swings a bat to hit a yellow softball during a game on a dirt field.
A young girl in a baseball uniform swings a bat at a softball on a dirt field, with spectators in the background.

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