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New Life softball: Going for No. 4?

By Aaron Paitich, Special to the Star Tribune, 03/12/11, 12:31PM CST

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They've won the past three Class 1A titles and will likely contend again this year


New Life Academy's Lauren St. John (center) celebrated at home plate as she scored on a home run hit by teammate Rebekah Schmidt during the Class 1A Championship game in 2010. Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune

New Life Academy has built a small softball dynasty in Woodbury. The size of the school might be small, but the softball team is thinking big. With three consecutive Class 1A state championships, eighth-year head coach Mick Ramey definitely has earned some swagger.

But the Eagles aren't going to let it get to their head.

"There's a fine line between confidence and being cocky," Ramey said. "That's the elephant in the room. Everybody knows we're going to go for the fourth, but we don't want to make that so obvious that it's our only focus. We're going to do the same thing we did in the last six, seven years that's made us successful."

As teams across the state become eligible to hold their first practices of the season Monday, fundamentals will remain key for New Life Academy. But what's special about this year's team is its six senior starters.

Typically, the Eagles have been one of the younger teams at both the section and state tournaments, with many seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders. New Life Academy has been blessed with the willingness of its upperclassmen to mentor the newcomers. One of those mentors this year is senior captain Katie Stodolka.

"I'm so used to being the young one and now I'm not the young one. I'm helping the younger ones along and it's a great feeling," said Stodolka, a second baseman and offensive force who has been playing varsity for the Eagles since seventh grade.

Ramey called Stodolka one of the best natural leaders he's ever seen, and he's coached quite a few at New Life Academy. Upperclassmen can sometimes find a way to connect with younger girls and bring them along in a way coaches cannot.

Stodolka, who has expressed a future interest in coaching, knows firsthand how important her mentors were.

"Just knowing how much older girls have helped me improve, that really motivated me to do the same," Stodolka said.

Catcher Natalie Schad, shortstop and leadoff hitter Lauren St. John, Lauren Anders and Andrea Peterfeso will solidify the experienced group along with Stodolka and Rebekah Schmidt, who returns as one of the state's best pitchers.

The Drake University recruit has been throwing at 43 feet for the past couple years in elite summer leagues, and with the Minnesota State High School League increasing the pitching distance from 40 to 43 feet this season, Schmidt carries an experiential advantage.

Schmidt, who has averaged almost 20 points per game for the Eagles basketball team, mixes up her pitches well. Her riseball continues to improve and fastball continues to impress.

Along with the rest of New Life Academy's solid team, Schmidt's pitching pushes Ramey to schedule games against bigger schools.

"I feel so good about playing the Hopkinses, the Burnsvilles, the Woodburys, the Lakevilles – a lot of those teams we've played them neck and neck because Bekah really mixes it up and has great control," Ramey said.


Rebekah Schmidt (center) celebrated with her New Life Academy teammates after their 2-0 victory over Barnum in the Class 1A Championship game in 2010. Jim Gehrz, Star Tribune

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