New Life Academy Wins Section 4A Softball Title

It’s not your typical late-game heroics, but perhaps that’s what makes it fitting.

New Life Academy coach Mick Ramey says this year’s Eagles softball squad has no superstars. Instead, there are 15 MVPs willing to step up at any given time.

So naturally, with the game gridlocked in a scoreless, eighth-inning tie, a sophomore hitting seventh breaks through and sends NLA to its sixth consecutive state tournament.

Nicole Johnson’s eighth-inning hit scored Natalie Schad and lifted the Eagles to a 1-0 win over Maranatha Christian Academy on Tuesday at Hamline University in the Section 4A championship game.

“The last time we played these guys, she stroked the ball twice against this gal,” Ramey said. “So we knew she had it in her.”

The win sends the three-time defending Class A champs back to Mankato, where they’ll play for a four-peat on June 9-10 at Caswell Park.

NLA beat Maranatha 4-0 in the section semifinals on May 26, but the rematch was no cakewalk. The Eagles had just one hit heading into the eighth inning due in large part to Mustangs pitcher Maddi Lee’s dominance.

But Eagles ace Rebekah Schmidt was just as tough. Schmidt realized in the first inning her curveball—her best pitch—was compromised by the wind. She adjusted and pitched an eight-inning, four-hit, 18-strikeout gem.

That included avoiding trouble in the top of the eighth. With the bases loaded and Maranatha (13-6) poised to break the scoreless tie, Schmidt induced a weak grounder to first base and a strikeout to keep the Mustangs off the board.

“My fielders made the plays,” Schmidt said. “We had a big out at home, when there was a grounder to first and Valerie (Hohol) made a play at home. That gave me confidence.”

The Eagles (21-4) took control in the bottom of the eighth. Schad led off the inning with a triple to left field. Johnson, who transferred this year from Hill-Murray, put her nerves aside and sent NLA on to state.

“I was just praying to God, asking him for help and stuff,” Johnson said. “He helped me through it.”

Schmidt said even Johnson was a good fit for the Eagles from Day 1.

“She jumped right in on our team and has produced so much,” Schmidt said. “She picked it up and believes in herself, and she just keeps fighting.”

That’s the motto for this year’s Eagles squad. Superstars aren’t necessary when 15 teammates work together.

Now, they’re set for another state title run.

“I use the terminology we had horses two years ago, now we have ponies,” Ramey said. “The Ponies came through this year, too.”