Mystics Softball Set Sights on More NAIA Competition

The Bismarck State College Mystics Softball team dived headfirst into their first season competing in the NAIA, with a total of ten games played since the publication of this article. So far, the season is a win-loss ratio of 9-1, with the Mystics having defeated Waldorf University Warriors in Iowa with a score of 11-5. Despite nine losses, the season started off with some close-scoring games. After the win against the Warriors, games have seen the gap between scores widening, though as the season picks up, this may change.

Brady Dutchak is the head coach for the Mystics softball team. This is his first season as head coach at BSC. Dutchak has been part of five college softball programs, including one other NAIA softball program at Dickinson State University. Although he has experience coaching, his position as head coach is still new to him.

“It's fun, it's different,” Dutchak said. “It challenges me every day, but we have a good group and a great assistant coach and they make it fun and definitely worthwhile.”

Dutchak has helped lead the Mystics through the first ten games of the season, which allows him to see firsthand what works for the team, and what does not. He noted that the team is younger, with about eight freshmen to around 11 upperclassmen. Not only that, but the shift to NAIA has had an impact on the softball team as well.

“We have our growing pains, but overall we see a lot of positive signs, both in practice and on the field,” Dutchak said. “So it's just about continuing to work and making good things happen.”

One of the challenges the softball team faces is bringing together all three facets of the game, Dutchak explained. This includes offensively, defensively, and with pitching. Still, the team has had small wins throughout the beginning of this season.

“They've been responding well on getting acclimated to the new competition. I think we get better every single day in practice and in games. As long as we keep putting the work in, you know, good things are going to happen,” Dutchak said.

In each game, one player has stood out as a natural leader. This is Sophomore Savannah Gustavsson. Gustavsson is a BSC student from Mandan studying pre-physical therapy. Dutchak made note of her contributions to the team and skills as a leader.

“She is someone that jumps out right away as, you know, starting catcher, one-off hitter, does everything right,” Dutchak said. “She's kind of like having the third coach on the field. People listen to her, and she puts in the work day in and day out, and she makes the coaches' lives easier for sure.”

Despite the large gap in wins to losses, Dutchak looks forward to the rest of the season with optimism. He said he sees opportunities at the new conference level and can see the growth from the fall semester to now.

“It's just exciting to kind of be able to track our progress from beginning to see where we're going to end up at the end and if we can make some noise at the conference tournament,” he said.

As the season finishes local competitions with Minot on Feb. 25, the team prepares for the Space Coast Spring Games, which means more NAIA competition, and a lot more travelling.

Keep an eye out for the first home softball games coming up on March 20 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and March 21 at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Scheels Field in Bismarck. The Mystics play Carroll College, another NAIA competitor.

For more information on results, the schedule, or the roster, check out the Mystics athletics website.