Mitchell, S.D. — In one of the most remarkable turnarounds in program history, the Dakota Wesleyan University softball team has rewritten the narrative — and the record books. After finishing the 2024 season with an 18-28 record, the Tigers roared back in 2025, posting a 34-16 finish and making their first postseason appearance since 2018.
Head Coach Tommy Downs praised the team's transformation and buy-in throughout the season:
"I couldn't be prouder of how this team responded to the changes and vision we set in motion," Downs said. "They've embraced a culture of relentless effort, positivity, and competitive spirit, putting our program firmly on the national softball map. The records and awards are just the by-products of the commitment and resilience they've shown. Rewriting the record book wasn't just a goal – it was a reflection of their belief in our approach and their desire to redefine what this program stands for. We're no longer the team you overlook. We're the hunters now."
And hunt they did.
The Tigers didn't just win — they dominated statistically. DWU set team records for:
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Most wins in a season
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Highest batting average
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Highest slugging percentage
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Most hits, runs, home runs, triples, and stolen bases
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Best stolen base percentage
Individual Brilliance
Several Tigers delivered standout individual performances:
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Jaden Warner set the school record for highest single-season fielding percentage, putouts in a season (236), and career putouts (829).
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Peyton Bagley broke the program's records for most hits and runs in a single season.
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McKinnely Mull had a monster season, setting new highs in:
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Slugging percentage
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Stolen base percentage
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Stolen bases (season)
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RBIs (season and career)
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Hits (career)
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Triples (season)
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Home runs (career)
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Runs (career)
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Kassidy Lopez tied the single-season record for fielding percentage.
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Alison Ernsberger made her mark in the circle with the most pitching wins and strikeouts in a season.
Signature Moment in Orange City
The defining moment of the season came on the road in Orange City, Iowa, where DWU stunned the No. 7 nationally ranked Northwestern Red Raiders, snapping their 18-game winning streak in an extra-inning thriller. That loss was just one of two Northwestern suffered in conference play — the other coming against nationally ranked No. 22 Midland.
The Tigers carried that momentum into the postseason, returning to the GPAC Conference Tournament for the first time since 2018. Unlike their last appearance, they made it count, defeating Concordia (NE) in the opening round.
A Program on the Rise
With a blend of record-setting veterans and young talent, Dakota Wesleyan's 2025 softball season is being hailed as a new chapter in program history — one defined by grit, growth, and a refusal to accept the status quo.
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