BU Softball picked to win fourth-straight NSAA title

BISMARCK, N.D. -- The Bellevue University softball team is the coaches' preseason pick to win the 2025 North Star Athletic Association softball regular-season title, in an announcement made today by the league office. The Bruins have won the previous three North Star regular-season titles.

The Bruins return seven starters and 13 letterwinners from last season's squad that finished with an overall record of 36-20 and a 19-3 mark in league play. The Bruins fell in the NSAA Tournament championship game to Dickinson State. However, BU qualified for the NAIA Softball National Championship, where they finished with a 2-2 record in the Sioux Center Opening Round bracket.

Highlighted by reigning NSAA Player and Pitcher of the Year Katie Cunningham, the Bruins return four first-team all-NSAA performers from 2024. Other returning all-conference honorees include outfielder Alexa Sidel, catcher Atiana Rodriguez, and infielder Liana McMurtry. 

The Bruins collected four first-place votes, tallying 33 points in the preseason poll. Valley City State picked up the final two first-place votes to finish second with 28 points. Jamestown finished third with 25 points.

The Blue Hawks, who also advanced to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round last season, finished fourth in the poll with 21 points. Mayville State was fifth with 12 points, followed by Dakota State at sixth with six points.

Points were awarded on a 6-1 basis in the conference coaches' preseason poll.

The NSAA softball season gets underway on the weekend of March 29-30 (DiSU at BU, MSU at UJ, and VCSU at DaSU). All six members are scheduled to play a total of 20 conference contests in the spring.

The NSAA Softball Postseason Tournament will be held at Bravera Field in Dickinson, N.D., on May 1-5. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round on May 12-15. 

The NAIA Softball World Series takes place in Columbus, Ga., on May 22-28 at South Commons Complex. 

The Bruins will begin the 2025 season on Feb. 7-8, when they travel to Branson, Mo., for four games. On the opening weekend, BU will battle Sterling, Mission (Mo.), Calumet, and Central Methodist.