Annandale High School senior Emmy Yaeger has signed a National Letter of Intent to play softball for Bemidji State University. BSU is a NCAA Division II school.
Yaeger signed the letter on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Annandale High School.
Bemidji State University softball head coach Rick Supinski announced the addition of Yeager and two other student-athletes to the BSU softball program for the 2020 season.
Grace Bragg of International Falls and Ashley Herold of Shakopee were also signed and plan to attend BSU in the fall of 2019. and Emmy Yeager (IF, 5-8, Annandale, Minn.) signed National Letters of Intent to attend Bemidji State in the fall of 2019.
"Emmy has one of the strongest arms I have seen and has quick feet," Supinski said. "She will look to make an immediate impact to our infield.
"She will be a great addition to the Beaver softball family."
Yeager has been a starter at shortstop on the Cardinal varsity softball team since the ninth grade.
The 2018 season saw Yeager and the Cards reach the state tournament. The team’s overall record was 19-2 for the season.
Yeager was selected to the 2018 Wright County All-Conference team.
Dolan and Walberg
Skip Dolan was Yeager’s head coach and Rick Walberg was the assistant coach for the Cardinals.
"If it weren’t for coach Dolan and Walberg I wouldn’t be where I am today," Yeager said. "They noticed the potential I had when I was just in eighth grade.
"They taught me not only more about the game but life in general.
"After going through multiple seasons with them as my coaches I’ve become a better athlete physically and mentally.
"I couldn’t have asked for a better pair of coaches for my high school career and I’m thankful for all they have done for me."
Blessed with great speed
"Emmy has a big upside to her game," Dolan said. "She is blessed with great speed which is a huge gift at the next level.
"She played shortstop for us and may for the Beavers, but she is also talented enough to play all three outfield positions and third and second.
"She had a great year hitting the ball for us last season and has another whole year to perfect her craft.
"Emmy is a great kid."
Yeager has been playing softball since the age of seven.
Yeager has played the positions of catcher, shortstop and some outfield.
"My favorite would have to be shortstop," Yeager said. It is a tough position to play and I like to be challenged."
"I’ve played on multiple traveling teams like the Northwest Diamonds, Minnesota Crush, and Annandale summer ball."
Dad helped too
Aside from coaches Dolan and Walberg, my dad has been especially helpful," Yeager said. Dad started playing catch with me when I was two years old.
"He taught me everything he knows about the game and if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t have had such a strong love for softball."
Manthie and Tikkanin
Two teammates that Yeager admires over the rest are Brittney Manthie and Claire Tikkanin.
"When I came on to varsity as a freshman, Brittney took me under her wing and was welcoming and encouraging," Yeager said. "She pushed me to become a better player."
Manthie graduated in 2017.
"Claire Tikkanin never failed to put a smile on my face," Yeager said. "She was always positive and hard working, which was contagious to me and other players."
Yeager recalled a favorite softball moment involving Tikkanin.
"Claire was running home and she slipped on the plate and fell down in front of everyone," Yeager said.
Tikkanin is a 2018 graduate of AHS.
What about 2019?
The 2019 season will be the last for Yeager as a Cardinal softball player.
"Our team this year will still be great and fun to watch," Yeager said. We lost some vital players to graduation but we still have some underclassmen with great potential.
"I’m excited to see what they bring to the table."
Why Bemidji
"The thing that influenced me towards Bemidji was the beauty and simplicity of the campus," Yeager said. "I also really enjoyed spending time with the softball team they have. the girls are very welcoming and fun to be around."
Yeager plans for a major in nursing and has her eyes on a career as a flight nurse.
About Yeager
Yeager, 17, lives in Southbrook with her parents Bret and Cherilyn Yeager and sisters, Ryleigh and Ella.
Yeager moved to Annandale when she was 10 and in the fifth grade. The family moved from Rogers.
Yeager enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with friends and family.
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