Story by Sebastian Studier, Bethel Athletics Contributing Writer
“We Ready!” says outfielder Lexi DeBace as the No. 11 ranked, back-to-back MIAC Playoff Champion Bethel University softball team heads into the NCAA Playoffs. The Royals defeated Saint Benedict 1-0 on May 13th at Ona Orth Athletic Complex to take home the MIAC title for a second year in a row.
Bethel softball made history in 2022, making the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance and trip to the Super Regionals. This year's team, with a 33-3 overall record and a perfect 20-0 MIAC Conference record, are looking to make history again.
This year’s group of Royals plays for an “audience of one”.
These words are painted on the step of the Royal dugout at Ona Orth Athletic Complex and head coach Penny Foore thinks that it serves as a reminder to her team of who they are all really playing for.
“Obviously we’re playing to win, we want to be really good,” Foore said. “But at the end of the day, we want to remember who we’re playing for, why we’re doing it, and who gave us these gifts.”
This motto was put into place before Foore started coaching at Bethel, and this year's group of seniors wanted to carry on the tradition.
“God is our audience,” Debace said. “We let everyone else on the outside, whether it be umpires, opponents, and fans think and say whatever they want. We do not let it bother us because we know who we are and so does God.”
Freshman utility player Sidney Bartels echoes Debace’s thoughts when it comes to her team’s motto and thinks that the motto is vital in how the Royal softball team plays the game.
“We are able to focus on who we are as a team and remember who we are in the kingdom of God. I think that this allows us to play with a proud and confident heart because we know we are playing for something bigger and that our teammates are right there with us.” - Sidney Bartles
Being a freshman on such an extremely successful college team, Bartels has had quite the unique perspective of having the opportunity to play at such a high level with this group of teammates right out of high school.
“As a freshman, I think that having pressure to perform at such a high level is a privilege,” Bartels said. “This team puts in an insane amount of work to be where we are and paired with the love and support that we all show each other makes us different.”
In a season filled with 33 wins, it can be difficult to pick out one defining moment, but one moment stands out to both Bartels and DeBace, which is the team’s sweep of then No. 15 ranked Saint Benedict’s on April 14th.
“It was a top 25 team match-up on a Friday night and the energy could not have been higher,” DeBace said. “We came out with all of the passion and heart we had and never let off the gas pedal until the umps told us the games were over. These wins fired us up through the rest of the season and we never looked back.”
Bartels thinks that the energy in the dugout was absolutely vital in this win, and thinks this win meant something in terms of confidence for the Royals moving forward.
Our dugout had the most energy we ever had and we were all so hyped for each other’s accomplishments,” Bartels said. “In this moment, I think our team realizes our capabilities of going far during the post-season and how much we can attribute to leaning on one another.”
Although a complete team effort is always required to win as many games as the Royals have won, two players stand out in particular to their teammates as absolutely vital in Bethel’s success. Both Bartels and DeBace point to the pitching and catching duo of Kayla Simacek and Cortney Hokanson when asked who is important to their success.
“The duo of our pitcher, Kayla Smiacek, and catcher Cortney Hoakenson is unlike any other combo I have ever seen before,” DeBace said. “Watching Kayla's ball move as I am in centerfield is so fun to watch.”
As a freshman, Bartels looks up to her pitcher and catcher.
“Behind the scenes, they have been a major source of leadership and someone to look up to as an example,” Bartels said. “Along with Kayla and Cortney, all of our upperclassmen have been such amazing role models which has definitely helped me throughout my rookie season.”
Foore expresses gratitude for the way that the Bethel community has embraced her team. From the grounds crew, to the maintenance team, to the football players who helped shovel snow in order for them to play their first game, Foore feels like Bethel is behind her team.
“We have home-field advantage, but it means even more when we have a lot of support,” Foore said.
The Royals will travel to Pella, Iowa to compete in the NCAA regional tournament, facing off against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in the double-elimination tournament.
The Royals will be playing for everyone watching, but ultimately, playing for an audience of one.
