New Life Academy Softball Team on the Brink of History

As the softball team began preparations for the 2011 season this week, it did so with the knowledge that it could do something no other high school softball squad in Minnesota has ever accomplished—winning a fourth-straight state championship this June.

"It's something we think about, but our main focus is to take it one day at a time," Eagles second baseman Katie Stodolka said. "You've got to make it to state before you can win it."

New Life emerged as a force in Class A softball in 2006 when the Eagles qualified for their first-ever state tournament under then-head coach Marco Machado and the strong-armed pitching of staff ace Danielle Schmidt.

The squad lost both of its state games that first season, then returned to claim the consolation championship in 2007 after going 2-1 at Caswell Park in North Mankato.

New Life has not been bested at state since.

"We've been very blessed," head coach Mick Ramey said. "We've needed everything to fall into place and it did; hard work will get you the breaks."

Ramey, an Eagles assistant coach since 2005, took over as head coach of the Eagles after Machado left following the 2007 tourney and has overseen New Life's run of succes: a 69-12 record and three consecutive state championships since 2008.

"We've had a great coaching staff here and the girls have known what they have to do for the team to be successful," Ramey said. 

The team has undergone nearly a complete turnover since that first state tournament, save for two players—Rebekah Schmidt and Stodolka, both of whom have played for New Life since seventh grade.

Schmidt, the younger sister of Danielle and daughter of Eagles pitching coach Tom Schmidt, was a third baseman and occasional starting pitcher as an eighth-grader on New Life's 2006 state qualifier.

In the seasons since she has developed into one of the top hurlers in Minnesota high school softball and guided the Eagles to a 26-1 campaign last spring in her first season as full-time starting pitcher after Danielle graduated.

As a junior, Rebekah did not give up a run while striking out 49 total batters in three state games. New Life went on to claim the Class A threepeat in a 2-0 win over Barnum, earning an all-state tournament honor.

"She's been a great player in every way over the years," Ramey said. "She's a talented batter and pitcher and also a team leader."

Stodolka, returning for one more year as the Eagles scrappy second baseman, hit .473 last season as the team's infield captain and looks to bat in the clean-up spot again this campaign. 

"It's my senior year and I want to go out on a good note," she said. "We've got great chemistry on this team and it's good to have those bonds already heading into the season."

Unlike last season, where the Eagles entered the year with a number of question marks following the departure of a number of their top players from the 2009 squad, this spring New Life returns nearly intact with only outfielder Kelly Stein graduated from 2010.

"We return an experienced core of seniors, as well as a solid number of newcomers," Ramey said.

Also back for one final season are catcher Natalie Schad and catcher Lauren Anders—both of whom earned all-state tournament laurels last June—as well as shortstop Lauren St. John and utility player Andrea Peterfeso.

The established group of seniors will be joined by a talented sprinkling of youngsters that include: freshman third baseman Amanda Heidmann, freshman outfielder Chloe Westlund, as well as eighth-graders Malorie Guire and Valorie Hohol.

Unlike 2010, when the Eagles flew under the radar due to their mass off-season defections, in 2011 New Life knows it is one of the favorites to win the state title—and make history with the first-ever four-peat.

"It's the elephant in the room," said Ramey, who playfully put up four fingers in several team photos following last June's three-peat. "It's not the focus, though. Instead, it will be the result of our working hard."

The coach said there is "great danger" in looking too far ahead, though he admits the team has booked hotel rooms in Mankato for this June... just to be safe.

"We don't want to look ahead, but we do plan ahead," he said. 

Whether the 2011 season holds as much promise as New Life's previous three campaigns have remains to be seen, but the coach does like the hand he's been dealt this time around.

"If the team stays healthy and plays like it can, we'll have a successful season," he said.

Does "successful season" mean another state title?"

"We aren't looking at it that way," he said. "Anyone can have a bad game along the way and we've got to get out of our section to get to state."

Ramey points out Minnesota Christian Athletic Association rival Maranatha Christian Academy, with freshman pitcher Maddi Lee, as possibly New Life's most compelling threat to both conference and section crowns, but says the Eagles can not afford to discount any opponent this season.

"There's many tough games ahead of us," he said. 

New Life is currently scheduled to play at Maranatha on Thursday, April 28, in the first of what could be up to four games against the Mustangs—including the possibility of as many as three contests between the squads if both make it to the Section 4A title round, which will be played as a best-of-three this year.

Before then, the Eagles are scheduled to play eight games, beginning with a season opener tentatively planned for Wednesday, April 6, versus St. Paul Academy at the . 

As for Stodolka's season plans, win-or-lose, the co-captain wants to finish her Eagles career in the same manner as she has spent it.

"We want to do our best—always," she said. "You have to try your best at all times and never, ever give up."