WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The 2025 Maranatha Softball Season was a season of "firsts," as new head coach Jarid Lawson stepped in to coach a program that was almost half-comprised of new faces to the college softball scene.
The Sabercats had a winless season in 2025, but the campaign was marked by personal milestones that are noteworthy. First, Bethany Searle set the record for most career appearances, stepping into the circle for the 68th time to set atop of the program charts. Searle's determination and perseverance: rewarded.
Grace Strauch had her first collegiate home run in the Sabercats' first home game of the season, launching a 2-run shot to center field in the first inning of the opener. The loss to Clarke that day was the first time in the season that the Sabercats extended the game past 5 innings, and it gave them the lead right out of the gates.
Then it was Searle's turn again, as the senior logged her 100th career strikeout for the Blue and Gold, in a doubleheader loss to Lawrence University. That century mark moved Searle into 4th all-time in program history.
SOUND BITE
"Spring sports are tough in the Midwest for a lot of reasons," said head coach Jarid Lawson. "Several of them being weather, injuries, your opponents, experience... but we started the season in the gym while playing an outside sport, which makes it interesting. Our season is long, but our playing days are short. We start in late January getting ready in the gym, and we play 27 of our total 33 games within a month's time, and these girls were champs.
"Time an again we'd hear from other coaches about the countenance and sweet spirit of our girls even through tough scorelines and a lack of game experience, but as we continue through the season, we've seen them learn the game and begin to take strides forward. It takes steps to see success. We've talked a lot about process, and we understand that in order to be competitors, you have to take the steps to get there - to put in the work.
"This season our theme was to prepare for a reaping. And before you reap anything, you have to sow. You don't immediately plant the seed and [see] the tree. We've done a lot of that work this season, and whether or not it shows in the win column, it shows in the day-to-day process."
SCHEDULE |
ROSTER |
STATS
AWARDS
Most Valuable (Defensive): Bethany Searle
Most Valuable (Offensive): Grace Strauch
Coach's Award: Racquelle Melville
Most Improved: Lydia Knibbs
Culture Award: Christina Pagano
NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Awards: TBA
