Minot State softball head coach Sal Rodriguez checks the outfield while at third base during the Beavers’ at bat against the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets during their annual Bubble Invite. Nathan Beitler/MDN

Two years, two seasons, two postseason appearances and two heartbreaking ends. For the past two seasons, the Minot State softball team has found enough success to make it to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Softball Tournaments in 2024 and 2025.

Under Minot State softball head coach Sal Rodriguez, the Beavers fought their way to the NSIC semifinals against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. After besting Northern State University and Concordia St. Paul, the Beavers fell to the Bulldogs 0-2, cutting their breams of an NSIC title short.

The next season, the Beavers once again found themselves in the post season, taking on the Minnesota State University Moorhead Dragons in the first round. Unfortunately for the 2025 Beavers softball team, they would fall even earlier than the previous year, leaving the tournament after their 1-4 loss in the first round.

This year, the Beavers are looking to make their playoff appearances a three-peat, and the other NSIC coaches see the Beavers’ potential. After finishing seventh in the NSIC last season, the NSIC Preseason Softball Coaches’ Poll ranked the Beavers at eighth, pegging them as a playoff contender this year.

“I mean, the good thing for us is, if we handle our business the way that we should, that is kind of our expectation to go and make the conference tournaments,” said Coach Rodriguez. “For us, obviously, we want to get there. We expect to get there, but we hope to stay there as well and compete really well. So that’s the expectation, and the goal is to go out there and win a conference tournament.”

And the Beavers have the players to back up their preseason ranking.

At the end of last season, the Beavers lost out on senior leaders Reegan Floyd and Jasmine Blizzard on the mound, but this year, junior-college transfers Katie Newberry and Taylor Kruser as well as freshman Addie Marcus have been the stars on the mound.

“So we graduate two key pieces to the pitching staff, and what we bring in are three that are more than ready to rise to the occasion,” said Coach Rodriguez. “I’m really excited to see what they’ve done thus far, but then also see them against teams that are in our league, teams that are different from what we see on a week in, week out basis, with our own scrimmages.”

Along with all the veterans slotting into place on the Minot State softball team, Coach Rodriguez says that the team has plenty of new players that will equally make big impacts in the games this season.

“We’ve added a little more depth as well. So that’s something that I’m excited about,” said Coach Rodriguez. “And then we look at, say, positions like the middle of the infield, we’re going to have some new faces there, but who also have the right amount of experience. I think there’s plenty of opportunity for the younger faces to come in and make an impact, as well as some of the returners to continue doing the things that have led us to a lot of success over the past couple of years.”

For Coach Rodriguez, points and stat totals are not the only things that make a good team. A good team has to be in sync. They have to get along, be friendly, and Coach Rodriguez says that this year’s team is already making leaps and bounds in that department.

“I’m not a coach to force team bonding and things like that. I love it to happen organically,” said Coach Rodriguez. “And I think with this group, it’s been a real organic thing. The ability of this group to enjoy each other’s company, hang out, and do all the little things off and on the field together, really makes me proud. And when they come out to practice and have good energy and and good mojo like that, that really excites me. So I’m really proud that this group has been able to [get along].”

The Beavers got their season kicked off late in January with their annual Bubble Invite at the MSU Bubble. The Beavers walked away with a record of 3-1 to start the year, sweeping the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets in their opening double header 9-1 and 12-10 on Friday, Jan. 30.

The Beavers then took on the Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets in another double header on Saturday, Jan. 31, dropping their first game 6-8 and winning their second 4-3.

With their record after their season opener, Coach Rodriguez feels confident in the Beavers’ ability to take themselves to the playoffs, but he says there is still a long, tough road ahead of them.

“The NSIC is a fantastic conference all the way through, so there’s never really an off weekend in our league. And just when you think you can maybe take a little break that’s when teams will come and get you,” said Coach Rodriguez.

Looking at the early schedule for the Beavers, they will start the rest of the regular season against some of the NSIC’s toughest opponents, but Coach Rodrigues is excited to see the team prove themselves.

“We’ve competed well against some of those teams in the past, and so I’m really looking forward to seeing how this group rises to the occasion and hopefully brings a lot of energy to those ball games,” said Coach Rodriguez. “[You have to] make sure that you take on every team with the same level of intensity and preparation, because at any given time, anyone can come out there and take a game from you.”

The Beavers softball team will pick play back up on Friday, Feb. 20, as they take on Dakota Wesleyan University in the Jamestown Tournament.