Badgers Softball Shows Fight in Recent Stretch, Eyes Consistency Ahead of Districts

3–4 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A softball coach discussing strategy with a group of players on the field during a night game.

The Bennington Badgers varsity softball team has navigated a demanding stretch of non-conference play over the past week, picking up a solid home win while competing hard in other contests as they prepare for district play next Wednesday.

On Monday, September 21, Bennington hosted Norris and earned a 6-3 victory. The Titans scored single runs in the first, third, and sixth innings, but the Badgers answered with a run in the third before pulling ahead with three in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Bennington finished with eight hits to Norris’s six. Skylar Johnson (pictured below) went the distance in the circle, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts, while Emery Schmidt collected two hits.

A softball player in a striped blue and white uniform throws a ball from the pitcher's mound while a teammate stands in the background.

The following day, the Badgers traveled to Gretna East and fell 9-0. Gretna East scored in each of the first four innings and limited Bennington to no hits. Skylar Johnson and Addi Kapple shared the pitching duties.

On Monday night, September 28, Bennington hosted Norfolk in another non-conference matchup and dropped a 4-1 decision. The game remained scoreless through six innings before Norfolk pushed across four runs in the seventh after their batter hit a home run with the bases loaded. Bennington responded with a run in the bottom of the frame. The Badgers collected three hits and committed three errors, while Norfolk finished with seven hits and played clean defensively. Allie Boever drove in Bennington’s lone run with a hit. Johnson worked six innings, allowing four earned runs with six strikeouts. 

Head coach Landon Blanchard reflected on the encouraging elements from the Norfolk contest despite the final score. “I think one of the things we try to do is we always try to come out and compete. I think for six innings, we did really well. I think they got through the order the fourth time through and put a good swing on the ball.”

A softball player in a blue and white striped uniform runs to first base while a player in a maroon uniform stands nearby. Nighttime setting with field markings visible.
Izzy Hursh rounds third base to bring in a run in the 7th inning.

Looking at the broader challenges of the season, Blanchard pointed to the team’s resilience. “I think a lot of the adversity that we face is something that is tough for anybody. It wouldn’t matter who or what team you are on. And it’s always really easy to have positive success. But when you’re having days where it just seems like you’re missing or you’re just on the other side of it, on a losing end, it’s hard. I think one of the things for them is they’ve done a pretty good job of staying together.”

“They gotta be able to stay together for the next week and a half and put our best foot forward going into districts,” he added.

Motivation through tough stretches, the coach noted, often comes from within the group. “I think they lean on each other. This is a good crew. I think they do a pretty good job of leaning on each other and making sure that they pick each other up, even when they’re not necessarily doing exactly what they thought.”

A young female softball player swinging a bat at a yellow softball during a game, with teammates and opponents in the background.
Taylor Redmond steps up to the plate.

With districts beginning next Wednesday, the focus is clear. “Biggest thing is, can we stack days? Can we put a good day followed by another good day? I think one of the Achilles heels that we’ve had this year is being able to stack those days. I think one of the things for us, we’ll have a really good game, and then we have a game like this, and then we have a really good game… so for us, it’s just a matter of in one week, can we find a way to stay consistent? Because I think we’ve shown that we can play with almost anybody.”

The Badgers will look to build on those competitive stretches and carry momentum into the postseason with upcoming games against Blair and Westview.

A young female softball player swings a bat to hit a yellow softball during a night game on a dirt field.
A female softball player swings at a pitch while standing at home plate on a dirt field.
A softball player with the number 13 on her uniform is pitching the ball on a dirt field during a night game, while a teammate is in the background preparing to catch.
A female softball player crouching down to field a ball on the infield, wearing a striped uniform and blue socks, with another player in the background.
A female softball player in a blue and white striped uniform reaches for the ball at first base while another player in a maroon uniform runs towards her. An umpire observes the play in the background.
A baseball catcher in blue gear crouches behind home plate as a batter in maroon prepares to hit a pitch during a nighttime game.
A softball game scene showing a catcher in blue gear preparing to catch a pitch while a batter in maroon is in the batting stance, with an umpire observing the play.
A softball player in a striped uniform stands in the outfield, preparing to catch a fly ball against a blue outfield wall.
A female softball player in a white and blue uniform is swinging a bat to hit a yellow softball on a dirt field during a night game.
A female softball player in a striped uniform and helmet runs on the field during a game, with a focus on her athletic movement. The background features a team logo on a blue wall.
A softball player in a blue and white uniform is sliding on the ground while attempting to catch a ball, with a focused expression.
A female softball player in a striped white and blue uniform stands on the field, smiling while holding a softball and wearing a glove.
A female softball pitcher in a white and blue uniform winds up to throw a pitch, with one hand holding a yellow softball and the other in a throwing position.
A female softball player in a crouched position, preparing to field a ball, with another player standing in the background. Both are wearing striped uniforms and blue socks.
A softball game in action, showcasing a female player in a white uniform attempting to catch a ball while another player in maroon runs toward first base, with an umpire observing the play in the background.
A female softball player crouched in a ready position on the infield dirt, wearing a white jersey with blue stripes and blue pants, focused on the play. Another player is visible in the background.
A female softball player with a bat is swinging at a yellow ball on a dirt field, with a catcher in the foreground and spectators in the background.
A female softball player in a striped uniform is swinging a bat at a pitched ball on a dirt field, with a catcher in the foreground preparing to catch. The setting is illuminated for a night game.
A young female softball player with long hair swings a bat at a yellow softball during a night game, with teammates and a coach visible in the background.
A female softball player in a striped uniform swings a bat at a flying softball in a night game, with a catcher in the foreground.
A softball player swinging a bat to hit a pitch during a game, with a catcher in position behind home plate.

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