Northern Star: Nicole Schmitt

Schmitt leads the team in home runs with 10.

March 26, 2025

Isaiah Wiita,

DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD softball team enters the 2025 season with a young squad, with only two seniors on the team.

One of the two seniors is infielder Nicole Schmitt who has been making plays in the field and at the plate for the Bulldogs.

” She’s fantastic, just a gifted hitter. Very high standards for herself. There is an intensity, has fun and keeps the young players loose,” said UMD head coach Nat Wagner.

At the halfway mark of the season Schmitt has recorded a fielding percentage of 97%. Throughout the year Schmitt has been able to adjust her play depending on what bag she is playing on in the infield.

“Second I get to move around a little more, it’s a little bit more running and first is more kind of vocal and talking with my pitcher,” said Schmitt.

When Schmitt is on the field she knows where she needs to be at all times.

“She’s a bit of a field general; I like that at second. Having an athlete that can basically relay coverages with runners on first base.” said Wagner. ” We are confident in throwing her anywhere.

Not only does Schmitt defend the field well. She also can get the bats rolling for the Bulldogs.

As she leads the team in home runs with 10.

When Schmitt is up to bat, she always focuses on one pitch at a time.

“Presence in the box, she is one of those players that when she gets in you know there is a chance of hitting a bomb or a double off the fence.” said Wagner. ” Every pitch matters, she is intentional in working hard and competing every single pitch of the game.”

But for Schmitt, if she had to pick whether to watch her ball fly over the fence or her teammates, she would pick her teammates.

“I think it’s more exciting for me to see my teammates hit home runs than myself,” said Schmitt. “Just getting to celebrate them is super fun. Kendal hit three this last week and so getting to be the person on base that steps back from home and gets to helmet tap with her and see everyone so happy and so joyful around her has been super special.”